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COPYRIGHT DEPOSITS 



EVERYCHILD'S SERIES 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 



THE MACMILLAN COMPANY 

NEW YORK • BOSTON • CHICAGO 
DALLAS • SAN FRANCISCO 

MACMILLAN & CO., Limited 

LONDON • BOMBAY • CALCUTTA 
MELBOURNE 

THE MACMILLAN CO. OF CANADA, Ltd. 

TORONTO 



EVERYCHILD'S SERIES 

HISTORICAL PLAYS 

FOR CHILDREN 

BY 

GRACE E. BIRD 

DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH, STATE NORMAL SCHOOL 
PLYMOUTH, N.H. 

AND 

MAUD STARLING 

SUPERVISOR OF TRAINING, STATE NORMAL SCHOOL 
PLYMOUTH, N.H. 

ILLUSTRATIONS BY K. JORDAN 



Nefo fgotft 

THE MACMILLAN COMPANY 

1912 

All rights reserved 



Copyright, 1912, 
By THE MACMILLAN COMPANY. 



Set up and electrotyped. Published September, 1912. 



§CLA320.597 



Co 
F. J. B., Jr. 

AND 

L. H. 



TO THE TEACHER 

The contents of this book are intended 
primarily for reading lessons in the class- 
room ; although, at the choice of the teacher, 
the scenes, with the aid of a few simple 
costumes and other suggestive properties, 
may be used for occasional entertainment. 

The aim is practice in reading with dra- 
matic effect, rather than historical accuracy. 
Some of the minor details, therefore, are 
merely traditional, and many of the lesser 
characters are fictitious. We have endeav- 
ored, however, to admit no errors in incident 
liable to mislead the pupil in his study of 
history. 

In scenes relating to Indians, if it is prob- 
able that the white men knew the language 

vii 



viii TO THE TEACHER 

of the Indians, they converse together. 
Otherwise, pantomime or the assistance of 
an interpreter is employed. 

Changes of scene may be indicated by 
rough pictures on the blackboard, or sketches, 
in colored crayon or charcoal, on thick paper, 
to be hung on the wall Many simple ob- 
jects, such as crosses, guns, and tomahawks, 
may be cut out of paper. Almost any prop- 
erties necessary may be improvised from 
ordinary material found in the schoolroom, 
or brought from home by the pupils. For 
the bullock's hide in Henry Hudson, or 
Tonty's coat in La Salle, newspaper may be 
utilized. Hennepin's portable altar can be 
represented by a large pasteboard box. A 
coat or a shawl may be used as a cloak by 
Sir Walter Raleigh. A few feathers stuck 
in the hair will suggest the costume of an 
Indian. In fact, the less defined the image, 
the greater the opportunity for the exercise 
of imagination on the part of the children. 



TO THE TEACHER ix 

Stage directions may be read by the 
teacher or some member of the class. 

It is an acknowledged truth that the im- 
aginative and imitative impulses of children 
demand as much dramatic material as it is 
possible to provide in school work. With 
this pedagogical principle in view, we com- 
mend to your use this volume, which is ar- 
ranged for the average fourth, fifth, and 
sixth grades. 




Christopher Columbus . 
Vasco Nunez de Balboa 
Joliet and Marquette 
George Rogers Clark 
Sir Walter Raleigh 
Ferdinand Magellan 
Henry Hudson 
John Smith 
La Salle . 
Lewis and Clark . 
Benjamin Franklin 
James Wolfe . 
William Penn . 
Dolly Madison 
Abraham Lincoln . 



PAGE 
1 

19 



54 

79 
97 
117 
129 
113 
173 
199 
221 
233 
217 
271 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR 
CHILDREN 

CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

SCENE I 
A Room in the Convent of La Rabida 

CHARACTERS 

Prior Juan 
Brother Lorenzo 
Brother Antonio 

Other monks occupied with various duties, copy- 
ing manuscripts, etc. 

Bro. Lorenzo. Hark ! What is that ? 
Prior. Nothing but the wind rattling the 

door. Everything seems to be making a 

noise. 

i 



2 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Bro. Antonio (getting up and looking out of 
the window) . It is very dark outside. I can 
see nothing but the blackness of the night. 

Bro. Lorenzo (following Brother Antonio to the 
window). How the wind howls! Heaven 
protect those out in this storm. 

Prior. Listen ! Some one is knocking at 
the gate. 

Bro. Antonio (taking down his cloak from the 
wall). I will go and let the stranger in. 

Bro. Lorenzo. Hurry ! He is rapping again. 
Do not keep the poor stranger waiting. 

(Brother Antonio goes out.) 

Prior (rising and closing the door after Brother 
Antonio) . Hear the wind roar. Each mo- 
ment it grows fiercer ! 

(Brother Antonio enters with Christopher 
Columbus and his little son, Diego. The 
boy sinks wearily to a bench. The monks re- 
move the travelers' wet cloaks.) 

Prior. Come close to the fire, strangers. 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 3 

The night is cold. (They warm their hands 

at the open blaze.) You are tired and hun- 
gry, I warrant you ! 
Columbus. Yes, good friends, we are both 

faint for the want of food. 
Prior. Lorenzo, bring bread and milk and 

meat for the weary travelers. 

(Lorenzo goes out.) 
Columbus. Thank you, Father. I knew we 

should find shelter and kindness at La 

Rabida. May God reward you ! 
Prior. How far have you journeyed ? 
Columbus. Many, many miles. We are on 

our way to France. 
Prior. That is some distance from here. I 

am surprised that you started on such a 

trip with a child. 
Columbus. His mother is dead; and I have 

no place where I may leave him. He goes 

everywhere with me. 
Prior (patting the boy on the shoulder). He is 

a fine brave fellow. 



4 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Columbus. When he could walk no farther 
I carried him ; but the storm overtook us, 
and we were obliged to find some shelter 
for the night. 

Diego. I am so hungry, Father. 

(Brother Lorenzo enters, bringing a tray of food.) 

Prior. Eat your supper, child, and you, too, 

friend, refresh yourself. 

(Columbus and Diego begin to eat.) 
Prior. May I ask why you go to France this 

time of year ? 
Columbus. To beg the king to buy ships for 

me. I want to cross the Atlantic; but I 

have no money for the voyage. By trade 

I am only a poor chart -maker. 
Bro. Lorenzo. No one has ever crossed that 

terrible ocean. Are you not afraid ? 
Bro. Antonio. People say it is full of fierce 

monsters and pools of fire. 
Prior. Nonsense, no one has ever seen them. 

That is nothing but idle talk. 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 5 

Columbus (taking a chart from his pocket). 

I have no ' fear of imaginary dangers. I 

am anxious to find a short way to India. 

I feel sure that it lies on the other side of 

the Atlantic. 
Prior. I have given that subject some 

thought myself ; and I have no doubt that 

you are right. 
Bro. Antonio (whispering to Brother Lorenzo). 

They must both be crazy. 
Bro. Lorenzo (whispering to Brother Antonio). 

It sounds like it. They talk as if the 

world were round, instead of flat. 

(Diego begins to nod sleepily.) 
Prior. It is time for the boy to go to bed. 
Columbus. It is indeed. He is worn out. 

(To the boy.) Come, Diego, you must go to 

bed. I shall come to you soon. Good night, 

my son. 
Diego. Good night, dear father. Come soon. 
(Brother Antonio leads the boy out. Brother 

Lorenzo removes the food.) 



6 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Prior. You cannot walk all the way to 
France with that child. 

Columbus (going to the window and looking 
out into the night). Oh, yes we must start 
to-morrow morning. There is no time to 
lose. 

Prior. Why not request the queen of Spain 
to provide ships for your expedition ? Her 
Majesty is kind and gracious. 

Columbus. I have already sought her assist- 
ance ; but both she and King John of Por- 
tugal have refused to help me. 

Prior (walking across the floor). I know 
Queen Isabella well. I was at one time 
her father confessor. I will write and 
beseech her to give you the ships you need. 

Columbus. You are too good, Father, but 
would she consent after having once refused ? 

Prior. It will do no harm to try. (He 
opens a desk and begins to write.) She has 
never refused me a favor. (He finishes the 
letter while Columbus studies a chart.) 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 7 

Prior (handing Columbus the letter). Read 

that and see if it conveys your wishes. 
Columbus. It is better than anything I 

could write, Father. 
Prior (motioning to one of the younger monks). 

There is a lull in the storm. Saddle a 

horse and ride to the next monastery. 

Here is a message for the queen. Early 

in the morning continue your journey — 

May her-Majesty grant us a gracious reply ! 
Monk. I will go at once. 
Prior. In a few days we may hope for a 

reply. You and your son are welcome to 

remain with us until then. 
Columbus. I shall not forget your kindness, 

Father. You have given me new courage. 
Prior. It is now time to go to the chapel, 

and then to our cells. It is our custom to 

retire early. 
Columbus. That pleases me; for I am very 

tired, and shall be glad to have some rest. 
(Each takes a candle, and they all go out.) 



8 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

SCENE II 

The Court of Ferdinand and Isabella, King 
and Queen of Spain 

CHARACTERS 

Columbus 

Ferdinand 

Isabella 

Court attendants 

(Enter Columbus accompanied by attendants. 
He kneels at the feet of the king. He mo- 
tions him to rise.) 

Ferdinand. You have come promptly in an- 
swer to our message. 

Columbus. Yes, your Majesty, I am anxious 
to begin my voyage across the Atlantic. 

Isabella (holding a piece of paper). This 
letter from Prior Juan of La Rabida has 
aroused our interest. 

Ferdinand. We fear that such an expedition 
may be a failure. The last explorers who 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 9 

attempted that voyage found nothing but 

clouds out there in the ocean. 
Isabella (turning to Ferdinand). He is a 

brave man to face the unknown dangers 

of the sea of darkness. 
Ferdinand (to Columbus). Do you really 

think that you can find a short route to 

India ? 
Columbus. I firmly believe so, your Majesty, 

and I am willing to risk my life to prove 

it. 
Ferdinand. The danger is very great; and 

the cost of the ships will be considerable. 

We have spent so much money on war that 

we have none left to waste. 
Isabella. Do not refuse him. I will sell my 

jewels to provide the means, if need be. 
Ferdinand. Indeed, I fear that may be nec- 
essary, for Spain is no longer rich. 
Columbus. If I go, I can be the means of 

bringing you wealth. After I find a short 

way to India, rich silks and spices can be 



10 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

brought here by boat, thus avoiding the 

long overland journey. 
Isabella. What you say is true. Ships move 

much more quickly than the caravans 

of the desert. 
Ferdinand. My queen, do as you will; but 

I have very little faith in the plan. 
Isabella (to Columbus). How many ships do 

you need? 
Columbus. Three will suffice, your Majesty. 
Isabella. You may plan to make the voyage. 

I will be responsible for the necessary money. 
Columbus. I thank your Majesties. Heaven 

grant you may not regret what you have 

done. 
Ferdinand. When do you wish to start? 
Columbus. As soon as possible. 
Ferdinand. Then choose your men, and be 

ready to leave Palos at an early date. 
Columbus. I will lose no time. When I 

return, a trip to India will be an easy 

journey. 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 11 

Isabella. Good luck to you, brave friend. 

Heaven prosper your undertaking. 
Columbus. I thank your Majesty. (He bows 

and goes out. The rest follow, the king and 

the queen leading the line of courtiers and 

ladies.) 

SCENE III 
The Cabin of a Ship at Sea 

CHARACTERS 

Columbus 
Bianca 
Alphonso 
Enrico 
A sleeping Cabin Boy 

Enrico (with his elbows on a table and his head 
on his hands). We shall never see land 
again. I wish we had never come. I 
know the earth is flat. Some dark night 
we shall fall off the edge. 



12 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Bianca. To continue this voyage is madness. 

The captain ought to be forced to turn the 

ship about and return. 
Aiphonso. Enrico, let us urge him to go 

home. If he refuses, we will throw him 

overboard. 
Enrico. Urge him yourself. I am not anxious 

to get into any trouble. 
Aiphonso. I am not afraid (stepping up to 

Columbus, who is just entering). Captain, 

we are weary of this voyage. We demand 

that you turn the ship about and take us 

home. 
Columbus. Impossible, man, impossible ! 
Aiphonso (shaking his fist). If you refuse, we 

will compel you. 
Columbus. You are excited. Be patient a 

little longer. 
Enrico. Let us take the matter into our 

own hands. He will not listen to us. 
Columbus. Silence, my men ! The king and 

the queen of Spain have sent me to find 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 13 

the Indies; and with the help of God I 
will go on until I reach them. 

Bianca. How much longer do you think it 
will take? 

Columbus. If we do not see land in three 
days, I will take you home. That is a 
fair arrangement. (He picks up a spy- 
glass and goes out.) 

Alphonso. Hear that, friends ! 

Enrico (raising his voice). We will hold him 
to his word. 

Alphonso. Or throw him into the sea. 

Cabin Boy (waking up, rubbing his eyes, and 
stretching). As soon as I get to sleep some- 
body makes a noise and wakes me up. 

Enrico. We are all sleepy from staying up 
nights and watching for land. We are 
foolish to stand it any longer. 

(Cabin Boy goes back to sleep.) 

Alphonso. That lad has more sense than all 
the rest of us. He takes a nap every chance 
he gets. 



14 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Sailor (rushing in excitedly, with a stick in his 

hand). Here is a stick I found floating on 

the water. It has been cut with a knife. 

We must be nearing land. 
Columbus (entering with a branch of a tree 

in his hand). Here is a branch with red 

berries on it. Land is not far off. 
Bianca. Hurrah for our captain. He was 

wiser than we were about this voyage. 
Sailor. I saw a strange light in the distance. 

It looked like a moving torch in the woods. 
Columbus. That is the white sand of the 

seashore. 
Cabin Boy (waking up). What is the matter 

now? 
Alphonso (shaking boy). Wake up, you lazy 

fellow. Land is in sight. 
Columbus. Get the small boats ready to land. 
(All rush out, talking excitedly to one another.) 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 15 

SCENE IV 
The Seashore — San Salvador 

CHARACTERS 

Columbus 
Sailors and Indians 

(Indians are moving about. Columbus and 
the sailors fall upon their knees and kiss the 
ground. The Indians crowd around.) 

Chief (to Indians). From whence did those 
white-faced men come to our shores? 

Brave. The broad wings of their ships have 
brought them from some far country. 

(A squaw grunts, smiles, and strokes the bright- 
colored clothes of the Spaniards.) 

Medicine Man. Their language sounds musi- 
cal. I wonder what they are saying. 

Chief. They look friendly. If they were our 
enemies, they would begin to attack us. 

Squaw. Why do they kneel on the ground ? 



16 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Chief. They may be praying to the Great 
Spirit. 

Brave. They themselves look like spirits 
from heaven. 

Chief. Perhaps we can make them under- 
stand us by signs. . 

Brave. I wish we could. 

Chief. Let us welcome them ! 

(Indians approach the white men. They make 
signs and exchange presents. The Indians 
fall at the Spaniards' feet.) 

Columbus (motioning them to rise, and examin- 
ing some gold ornaments which the Indians 
have given him). This is a rich land, full 
of gold. We will lay claim to it. I am sure 
that no white man has ever been here before. 

Enrico. It must be Asia. Perhaps we have 
found India. 

Bianca. At any rate, we are the first to 
cross the Atlantic Ocean. That is some- 
thing worth doing. 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 17 

Alphonso. See the fine country and the beau- 
tiful trees ! It is almost as pleasant here 
as it is in our own land. 

Columbus. The natives are good-looking 
men. They have proud and noble faces. 

Bianca. Their skin is dark, but they are well- 
formed. 

Alphonso. Arid they are so friendly there is 
nothing to fear. If they were unfriendly, 
they might be dangerous enemies. 

Enrico. When we come again, the king will 
give us all the men and ships we need. 

Bianca. All Spain will want to come, after 
we go back and tell about this great coun- 
try. 

Columbus. Now we will claim this new land, 
and then explore the country (unfurling 
the flag of Spain, and planting the staff in 
the ground). In the name of the glorious 
sovereigns Ferdinand and Isabella, I take 
possession of this land and name it San 
Salvador. (They all go out.) 




18 



VASCO NUNEZ DE BALBOA 

SCENE I 

The Island of Hispaniola (Haiti). A Room 
in a Dwelling 

CHARACTERS 

Balboa and his friend Martino 

Balboa {writing at a table). When do you 

expect to sail for the Isthmus (Darien) ? 
Martino (looking up from a book which he has 

been reading). To-morrow, if the wind is 

favorable. 
Balboa. I wish that I might go with you. I 

am tired of living on this island, and I long 

for the adventures that you explorers will 

enjoy. 
Martino. Why, I thought that you were 

going with us. 

19 



20 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Balboa. How can I ? My debts are so 
great that I am obliged to remain here 
until they are paid. I should be arrested 
if I were to leave. 

Martino. I wish I had the money to lend 
you ; but, as you know, I am a poor man. 

Balboa. I thank you just the same, Martino. 
You have always been a good friend to me. 

Martino. How long will it take to pay what 
you owe? 

Balboa. All the rest of my life, I think, I 
have managed my affairs very badly. 
(Holding up a long paper.) These are only 
a few items of my indebtedness. 

Martino. That is bad. We must devise some 
scheme by which you can escape from these 
difficulties. 

Balboa. I have thought and planned in vain, 
until I am tired. 

Martino (rises and walks up and down, thinking 
deeply. He stops suddenly). I have it, Bal- 
boa. I have it. 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 21 

Balboa (laughing). Have what? Enough 
money to pay my debts? 

Martino. No, a plan. 

Balboa. Oh, is that all? 

Martino. Yes, and a good one (pointing to 
a large barrel). Do you see that big cask 
yonder ? 

Balboa. Of course I do; what has that to 
do with a plan? 

Martino. It has everything to do with it. 
Be patient and I will explain. I will 
pack you in that barrel and ship you as 
dried fruit, or some other kind of pro- 
visions. 

Balboa (laughing). Nonsense. Being in 
debt is bad enough; but starving and 
smothering is worse. Besides, some one 
might turn the barrel upside down. 

Martino. I will be responsible for keeping 
it right side up. Holes bored in the top 
will give you air; and you will not need 
much food for a day. 



22 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Balboa. It may take more than a day to 

reach the Isthmus. 
Martino. Of course it will ; but when we are 

safe at sea you can come out of your hiding 

place. The captain will never turn the 

ship around to bring you back. Besides, 

none of your creditors will be on board. 
Balboa. If I thought the plan were possible, 

I would risk it. 
Martino. I am sure that we shall succeed if 

you will agree to leave the matter to me. 
Balboa (rising from his chair). Martino, I 

am tempted to try it. 
Martino. Will you do it? 
Balboa (seizing Martino' s hand). Yes, I will. 

It is no great risk, and anything will be 

better than staying here. 

(They go out.) 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 23 

SCENE II 
On Shipboard 

CHARACTERS 

Balboa 
The Captain 
The Mate 
The Pilot 
A Sailor 

Sailor (running in, frightened). masters, 
masters, I have seen a ghost ! 

Captain. What foolishness is this, man? 
There are no such things as ghosts. 

Pilot. Whose ghost was it? 

Sailor. Balboa's. He must have died just 
after we sailed. 

Mate. Where did you see it? 

Sailor. It's head was poking out of that bar- 
rel of provisions over there — the one with 
Martino's name on it. 



24 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Captain (whistling). That is strange. We 

had better look into this. 
(Balboa is seen climbing out of the barrel. They 

all start back, amazed.) 
Balboa (talking to himself). I'm glad to get 

out of that. I am so cramped I can 

scarcely move. 
Captain (sternly). Balboa, how do you hap- 
pen to be here? Explain yourself. 
Balboa. I throw myself upon your mercy, 

Captain. I had to come in this way, or not 

at all. I owe so much money that there 

was no hope of my ever being able to leave 

the island. 
Captain. Well, young man, do you think 

that we are willing to help you break the 

law, and — 
Pilot (interrupting). Excuse my interruption, 

Captain, but we cannot turn the ship back 

now. 
Captain. Then we can put him off at the 

next barren island. 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 25 

Mate. He would starve to death. 

Sailor (whimpering). Yes, and then his real 

ghost would haunt us. 
Captain, Silence ! It shall be as I say. 
Balboa. I am in your power, Captain. I 

have no excuse to offer ; but I hoped that 

you would not be hard on me. 
Sailor (falling to his knees). Have pity on 

him, Captain. Let him go along with us. 
Martino (approaching). All this is my fault. 

Let me take the punishment. 
Captain. You both deserve punishment for 

evading the law; but I will not decide 

against you too hastily. 
Martino. It is an unjust law that has left 

Balboa so long at Hispaniola. He can earn 

money to pay his debts twice as fast at the 

Isthmus, where there is more work to do. 
Captain. Was that your intention in coming, 

Balboa? 
Balboa. Indeed, sir, I intend to pay every 

cent. 



26 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Captain. In that case you may go with us ; 
but a law should be obeyed until a better 
one takes its place. 
Balboa. I thank you for your kindness to me. 
(All go except Balboa and Martino.) 
Martino. That was a narrow escape. 
Balboa. Yes, but it was worth the risk. 

(They go out arm in arm.) 

SCENE III 
The Mainland 

CHARACTERS 

Balboa 
Martino 
The Captain 
The Mate 
The Pilot 
Other sailors 

Captain. I fear we shall never find our way 
out of here. 





HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 27 

Mate. We ought to be glad that we escaped 
from the shipwreck. 

Captain. If we had been farther from the 
mainland, the. small boats might have been 
swamped in the high waves before we 
reached the shore. The ship sank soon 
after we left her. 

Pilot. It was a terrible storm; but there is 
very little choice between drowning at sea 
and starving on land. One thing is about 
as bad as the other. 

Balboa. Keep up your courage. Here is a 
landmark that I remember seeing when I 
was here before. At the right of this old 
stump is a trail leading to an Indian village. 
The inhabitants used to be friendly to white 
men, and they will give us food. 

Sailor. That is lucky. Let us follow our 
leader. 

(They go out.) 



28 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

SCENE IV 
Indian Village 

CHARACTERS 

Indians and the same Spaniards as in 
Scene III 

(Balboa understands the native language, which 
he is supposed to use in speaking to the natives. 
The others are supposed to speak their own 
tongue.) 

Captain (to Indian chief). It is very kind of 

you to give us food and shelter. 
Chief. You are welcome to anything in our 

village. 
Balboa. What I want most is some of this 

(pointing to some gold). 
Pilot (picking up a piece). That is a fine 

nugget. 
Mate. It must be worth a great deal. 
Brave. Did you people leave your homes and 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 29 

travel so far just to get that yellow stuff? 

This island is full of it. 
Balboa. Yes, we are anxious to obtain as 

much as we can carry; for it is very scarce 

where we come from. 
Brave. I know a place where there is so much 

that the inhabitants eat and drink out of 

gold dishes. 
Balboa. Tell us where we can find that coun- 
try. 
Chief. You must sail on a great ocean, and 

you will need a great many men. 
Brave. The way is rough. There are high 

mountains to climb, and the natives are 

unfriendly. 
Balboa. I am not afraid. (To his folloivers) 

Will you go on a dangerous journey with 

me, friends? 
Captain. We are willing to take any risk 

and stand by you in every danger. 
Chief. We should be sorry to see you go; 

but if you are determined, good luck to you ! 



30 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Squaw (entering with papoose on her back). 

Dinner is ready in the wigwam. 
Chief (laughing). We are always ready to 

answer that call. 

(All go out.) 

SCENE V 

A Grove on a Hill near the Pacific (Isthmus of 
Darien) 

CHARACTERS 

Balboa 

Martino 

Pizarro and others 

Balboa. We must be near the great ocean 
that we have come so far to find. 

Martino. The Indians said that we could 
see the ocean from the highest point of 
these hills. 

Pizarro. This is the highest hill we have 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 31 

found yet. Beyond those trees perhaps 
we may find the end of our journey. 

Balboa (walks ahead a short distance and stops). 
Look, my men ! Yonder is the blue ocean. 
See it shimmer in the sunlight ! 

Pizarro (approaching). That is wonderful. 
Beyond those waters there is gold by the 
shipload. 

Martino. We are the first Spaniards to dis- 
cover the ocean that leads to the land of 
gold. 

Pizarro. Let us call it the South Sea, so 
that by this name our discovery may be 
known. 

Balboa. We will set up a cross on this hill, 
and take possession of this peak in the 
name of Spain. Then I will wade into the 
water as Columbus did when he discovered 
the Indies, and I will proclaim Spain's 
ownership of this ocean. 

(Balboa wades into the water, waves the Spanish 
ensign, and says, "I take possession of this 



32 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

sea, in the name of the king of Spain/ ' 
while the other men erect a rude cross on the 
hill. They all sing part of the Te Deum, 
and, singing, walk away.) 




JOLIET AND MARQUETTE 

SCENE I 

A Mission Station founded by Father Marquette 
on the North Shore of Lake Michigan 

CHARACTERS 

Father Marquette 
Joliet Jacques 

Pierre Henri 

Jean Amiel 

Joliet {to Marquette). This is a pleasant 
spot where you have established your 
mission. 

Marquette. Yes, but it is bitter cold in winter. 
I had, however, little choice in selecting a 
site; we were driven here from the upper 
lakes by the Iroquois Indians. 

Joliet. What tribes live in yonder huts {mo- 

d 33 



34 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

tioning toward them) within your palisade 
of cedar posts ? 

Marquette. Hurons and Ottawas, and they 
are particularly kind and friendly. 

Joliet. They will miss you when we start on 
our expedition. 

Marquette (contemplating a crucifix held in his 
hand). I should never go, if it were not 
for the fact that I wish to spread the Chris- 
tian religion among the strange tribes who 
live where we are going. 

Joliet. While you are converting the savages 
I will search for that great river of the 
West about which adventurers have 
dreamed so long. (He points toward the 
west with a sweeping gesture.) 

Marquette. I have no doubt that we shall 
both accomplish our purposes. 

Joliet. It is fortunate that you understand 
the language of the red men. 

Marquette. Yes, that knowledge has often 
aided me in helping my people. 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 35 

Joliet. Governor Frontenac has told me that 

you can make yourself understood by more 

than one tribe. 
Marquette. Yes, I have a fair command of 

the language of six tribes. 
Joliet. Such skill will be valuable in finding 

our way in the new land to which we shall 

journey. 

(Enter the other five explorers.) 
Marquette. Here are our faithful companions. 

(All touch their caps in recognition of the 
priest's remark.) 

Pierre. The provisions are all ready to stow 

away in the canoes. 
Joliet. Then let us get ready to start as 

soon as possible. 
Jean. If the weather does not change, we 

shall have a good voyage. (He scans the 

horizon.) 
Henri (piling up some boxes). Where shall 

we put this smoked meat ? 



3fl HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Marquette (pointing to a canoe). In the smaller 
canoe, which is to carry only three of us. 
The Indian corn and the other provisions 
should be packed in the larger canoe. 

Amiel. How shall we divide the company for 
this expedition ? 

Joliet. Father Marquette will go with Henri 
and Jean. I will take charge of the other 
canoe with the rest of us. 

Jacques. Everything seems to be ready. 

Marquette. Then let us start at once. 

Jean (distributing paddles). Here are the 
paddles. We have half a dozen extra ones in 
case we should break those that we are using. 

Joliet. That is a wise precaution. We are 
liable to find rough water and hidden rocks 
before we reach our destination. 

(Indians crowd around and watch the proceed- 
ings.) 

Marquette (to Indians). It makes me sad to 
leave you, my faithful friends. 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 37 

Chief. We shall pray for your safe return. 

Marquette. That is right. Remember my 
teachings, and live peaceably with one an- 
other. Good-by. 

Indians and white men shake hands with one 
another. All go out.) 

SCENE II 

Near an Indian Village between the Wisconsin 
and Menomonee Rivers 

CHARACTERS 
Same as in Scene I 

Marquette < pointing). See that cross on 
yonder high hill. We must be nearing 
friends. 

Henri. It is covered with feathers and orna- 
ments. 

Amiel. There are clothes, too, hanging on it. 

Jacques. It is an Indian custom to ornament 
everything. 



38 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Jean. One can scarcely recognize it as a 
cross, it has so many trimmings. 

Joliet. It is so long since breakfast, let us 
eat our meal here on the shore before we 
approach the Indian settlement. 

(Men prepare supper.) 

Marquette. When we first landed, the Menom- 
onee Indians warned us of great dangers 
hereabouts. I am glad that we have met 
none yet. 

Jacques. I wonder when we shall find those 
river monsters on the rocks. The chief 
said they would eat both us and our canoes. 

Pierre. We have not yet found that gulf where 
the evil spirit tears people to pieces. 

Jean. Nor have we met the hostile tribes 
that will not permit us to cross their bor- 
ders. 

Marquette (raising a cross). Fear not. At 
the sight of this, no evil spirits or enemies 
can harm us. 

Amiel. Supper is ready. 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 39 

Joliet. Then let us eat. 

(While they are eating, an Indian face appears 
among the bushes and then disappears. They 
all rise hurriedly.) 

Marquette. That was a scout. In a few 
minutes we may expect to see some more 
of our neighbors. 

Joliet (to Henri). Hurry and get some pres- 
ents ready, so that we shall be prepared for 
their visit. 

(Henri gets some beads, scissors, cloth, etc. 
Several Indians enter.) 

Marquette (holding up cross). By this sign 

we are brothers. 
Chief. We are glad to welcome the friendly 

palefaces and the "black robe" to our 

wigwams. 
Marquette. We thank you, but we must 

hasten on our journey. 
Chief. How far are you going ? 
Marquette. To the " big river " far to the west. 



40 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Chief. If you cannot tarry with us, we should 
be glad to help you on your way. 

Marquette. We need a guide for each boat. 
The region is unknown to us. 

Chief (motions to two scouts, who step forward). 
These men know the country well. They 
have been far to the West and South, and 
are acquainted with every trail. 

(Scouts nod assent.) 

Joliet (to Marquette). If those are guides, 
engage them at once. 

Marquette (to chief). We shall be glad of 
their services, and if they will come with 
us we will start at once. (He offers Chief 
presents.) Take these gifts as a token of 
our appreciation. 

Chief (to Indians who are crowding round to 
look). See these beautiful beads that the 
palefaces brought us. (To white men.) 
Thank you. 

(Indians grunt with admiration.) 

Chief (taking a large rush mat from the arms of 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 41 

a brave). We will give you this to sleep 
on at night. The squaws made it, and it 
is soft and warm. 
Marquette. That is very kind of you. 

(The men crowd around and admire it. Mar- 
quette raises his crucifix to bless the Indians. 
Good-byes are said. The white men start out, 
followed by the Indians.) 

Chief. Good luck to you ! 
Marquette. God bless you, friends. 

(All go out.) 

SCENE III 

Illinois Indian Settlement on the Shore of the 
Mississippi River, in what is now Iowa 

CHARACTERS 

Joliet 

Marquette Jacques 

Henri Pierre 

Jean Amiel 



42 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Joliet. This is a wonderful country. I am 

glad that we came. 
Marquette. The groves and the forests are 

beautiful. In fact, everything grows more 

luxuriantly than at home. 
Henri. The scenery is entirely different. See 

the prairies in every direction, with steep 

cliffs on the river banks. 
Jacques. What an abundance of grape vines 

we have passed ! I wish that the grapes 

were ripe. A bunch would taste very good 

just now. 
Jean. I have never seen so many strange 

flowers. They are not at all like those in 

Canada. 
Pierre. Yesterday I saw five deer and a 

buffalo, and — 
Marquette (interrupting). Look! I have 

found human footprints in the mud. Here 

is one, and yonder are more. (He points 

out the footprints.) 
Joliet (examining the ground). Here is a well- 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 43 

defined trail. If these are the marks of 

human feet, there must be people not far 

distant. 
Amid. The path may lead to an Indian 

Tillage. 
Joliet. Father Marquette and I will follow 

the trail and see where it leads. The rest 

of you go over there and guard the boats. 

(He points to one side. All go out except 

Joliet and Marquette.) 
Marquette. I hope that we shall find the 

Indians friendly. So far we have been very 

fortunate in that respect. 
Joliet. We must be careful not to surprise 

them. When we approach the settlement, 

let us shout. Then they will know that 

we are not enemies. (Joliet and Marquette 

go out.) 



44 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

SCENE IV 

Near an Indian Village 

(Joliet and Marquette approach, shouting, 
"Hello! Hello!" Indians appear, carry- 
ing two peace pipes.) 

First Chief. Palefaces, we are glad to see 
you. One of our scouts spied you in the 
woods; and we hoped you would come 
our way. 

Marquette. God bless you, good chief ! We 
are grateful for your welcome. 

Second Chief. You honor us with your pres- 
ence. 

Medicine Man. \ The sun shines brighter, the 
forest is more beautiful, and the river runs 
more smoothly since you came. 

Second Chief. Let us smoke the pipe of 
peace. 

(They pass around the pipe and smoke silently.) 

First Chief. As a proof of our friendship I 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 45 

give you this boy as a present. (He takes 

an Indian boy by the hand and leads him 

to Joliet.) 
Joliet. Thank you. He will be very useful 

to help us on our travels. 
First Chief. Now let us begin to feast. 

(A squaw brings in a dish of corn meal, and the 
chief feeds his guests with a spoon.) 

Second Chief. We have cooked a fine fat dog 
in your honor. 

(They all eat together; then the Indians dance 
the calumet dance, and all again smoke the 
pipe of peace.) 

First Chief (presenting a calumet to Marquette). 
Here, " black robe/' is a safeguard. This 
peace pipe is a token of friendship between 
your governor and the tribe of the Illinois. 
It shall be decked with white feathers, and 
it will remind you to return. 

Marquette [raising his hand to bless them). 



46 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

When we come back, I will teach you about 
our religion, which always brings peace and 
good will. 

(They all go out.) 

SCENE V 

Shore of the Mississippi near the Mouth of 
the Illinois 

CHARACTERS 
Same as Scene IV 

Joliet (pointing ahead). See, there are the 
monsters described by the Menomonee 
Indians. What vivid imaginations the red 
men have ! 

Marquette. Those are only Indian pictures on 
the rocks. 

Amiel. Look, they have men's bodies with 
fish's scales, red eyes, and the horns of 
deer. Think of being afraid of anything 
like that ! 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 47 

Pierre. The roaring of the rapids must be 
the voice of the evil spirit. It is loud 
enough to frighten anybody who does not 
know better. 

Henri. Farther on we may find the Indians 
who made the pictures on the rocks. One 
of the guides says that they carry guns 
instead of bows and arrows and call their 
muskets "fire sticks." 

Jean. Where did they get them? 

Henri. They bought them of the Spaniards, 
who have a settlement not far distant. 

Jacques. If we go any farther, we may be 
captured. 

Joliet. We have met no very great danger 
yet. Let us wait until your fears are 
realized before we return. 

Marquette. That is a good idea. We have 
made good progress; but we must not 
subject our men to unnecessary danger. 
Heaven will protect us. 

Pierre. I myself am willing to go as far as 
you think best. 



48 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Jean. Indeed, I think we all are. 

(The others nod assent.) 
Joliet. Well, let us prepare to continue our 
journey, 

(All go out.) 

SCENE VI 

Indian Settlement near the Mouth of the Arkan- 
sas River 

CHARACTERS 
Same as in Scene V, with the addition of Indians 

(Marquette shows pipe of peace. Older Indians 
hold back young braves, who are brandishing 
war clubs, knives, and tomahawks.) 

Marquette (to Joliet). These men are un- 
friendly to us, and I do not know their 
language. 

Joliet. Perhaps they will not harm us. The 
older men are i holding back the braves. 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 49 

Henri. The sight of the calumet is restrain- 
ing them. 

Marquette (supposed to be using Illinois lan- 
guage). Is there any one here who can 
speak with us ? 

Brave (stepping forward). Yes, I can under- 
stand you. What do you want? 

Marquette. We are following the course of the 
river. 

Brave. You will never live to go any farther, 
and if you stay here longer you are liable 
to be killed by this tribe. 

Chief (to Braves). There is no reason why 
you should get the ill will of these strange 
men. Bring something for them to 
eat. 

Medicine Man. Make them eat until they 
are sick. 

Squaw. Why do they come here? We do 
not want them. 

Medicine Man. Let us give them such a 
savage welcome they will never return. 



50 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

{Indians offer large quantities of food and try 
to force the white men to eat it.) 

Joliet (to his men). I think we had better 
go back to Canada and tell Governor 
Frontenac what we have seen. So far, the 
expedition has been successful and we have 
made some valuable explorations. 

Marquette. That is a wise decision. There 
is now no doubt that the Mississippi flows 
into the Gulf of Mexico, and that is what 
we came to find out. 

Joliet. Let us start at once, and may we 
have as good luck going as we had coming. 

(All go out.) 

SCENE VII 

Montreal — Room in the House of Governor 
Frontenac 

CHARACTERS 

Joliet Jacques 

Henri Pierre 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 51 

Frontenac (shaking hands with the men). Wel- 
come, brave travelers ! 

Joliet. We are indeed glad to be home after 
our long journey. 

Frontenac. Tell me something about the last 
hours of good Father Marquette. 

Joliet. The hardships of the trip exhausted 
his strength. Though he was ill, he per- 
severed. At length he could go no farther, 
and finally breathed his last. 

Henri. While we were resting at our different 
stopping places, he was teaching and preach- 
ing to the Indians. 

Pierre. He was the finest, bravest man I 
ever knew. 

Jacques. Always kind and patient, he never 
complained. 

Henri. We shall never forget him. 

Pierre. We buried him on the shore of Lake 
Michigan. May he rest in peace. 

Joliet. What these men say is all true. 

Frontenac. I understand that you had a 
perilous trip down the Lachine Rapids. 



52 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Joliet. Yes, my canoe was overturned. Poor 
Amiel and Jean were drowned, also the 
Indian boy we brought from the tribe of 
the Illinois, and we lost all the valuable 
records of the journey made by Father 
Marquette. 

Frontenac. That is unfortunate ; but you men 
are alive and well, and you have accom- 
plished much in following the great river 
so far. Honor is due such brave explorers. 
Let us withdraw and talk of your travels 
at greater length. 

(All go out.) 




53 



GEORGE ROGERS CLARK 

SCENE I 
A Road in Virginia 

CHARACTERS 

The Governor (Patrick Henry) 

A Guide 

Clark 

Two Hunters 

(Clark and Two Hunters enter.) 

Clark. I am uncertain which road to take. 
First Hunter (pointing to the right). This 

shows signs of more travel. 
Second Hunter. Listen ! I hear some one 

coming. 
Clark (listening). True. I hear two voices. 
(Voices are heard in the distance.) 

54 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 55 

First Hunter. I hope they are not highway 

robbers, 
Clark {examining his gun). If they are, we 

are ready for them. 
Second Hunter. Let them come ! 

{Enter Governor and a Guide) 

Governor. Good day, travelers. 

Clark. Good day, sir. Can you tell us which 

road leads to Richmond ? 
Guide {pointing). The one on the right. 
First Hunter. That is what I thought. 
Governor. We are going that way, also, and 

should be glad of your company. 
Clark. Thank you. We will come gladly, 

but let us rest by this stream and have 

something to eat before going farther. 
Governor. That will suit us. 
{The hunters unpack the provisions, and all 

sit down to eat.) 
Governor. May I ask whether you are going 

far? 



56 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Clark. I am seeking Patrick Henry, the 
governor. 

Governor. Have you ever seen him? 

Clark. No, but I shall not go home until I do. 

Governor (laughing). That accounts for the 
fact that you do not recognize him. 

Clark (starting forward in surprise). Have I 
the honor of speaking to him now? 

(They both rise.) 

Governor. I am Patrick Henry. 

Clark. This is a fortunate meeting for me. 
My name is Clark, and I came from near 
the Ohio River where the British are per- 
secuting the settlers. I have a letter of 
introduction from a relative of yours. 

(He hands letter to Governor, who reads part of 
it aloud.) 

Governor (reading). "This is to introduce 
my friend, George Lewis Clark. Any assist- 
ance that you can give him I shall consider 
a personal favor," (They shake hands.) 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 57 

Governor. I am glad to know you, sir. Your 
business must be urgent to bring you so far. 

(They sit down.) 

Clark. I have traveled about six hundred 
miles in a month; but I would go twice 
as far to accomplish what I have set out 
to do. 

Governor. A trip through such a rough region 
is a true test of endurance. 

Clark. I am planning a still greater expedi- 
tion. 

Governor. You must be a lover of adventure. 

Clark. My chief aim is to serve my country. 

Governor. I am impatient to know your 
plans. 

Clark. I am anxious to drive the British 
out of the region near the Ohio, where 
they and their Indian allies are treating 
the settlers cruelly. 

Governor. That is a worthy mission; but 
how do you propose to accomplish it ? 

Clark. By capturing the British strongholds. 



58 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

But I shall need men and money. That is 
why I have come to seek your assistance. 

Governor. A suitable appropriation would re- 
quire a vote of the Legislature. 

Clark. To obtain that would cause delay. If 
you are willing to help me, what is the 
largest sum of money that you could let 
me have? 

Governor. Five or six thousand dollars, per- 
haps, but no more. 

Clark. That would be of great assistance, if 
I can raise a sufficient number of men to 
go with me. 

Governor. That, also, involves delay. 

Clark. Why not publish a notice that I have 
the right to enlist soldiers to defend the 
colonists ? 

Guide. I will go with you. 

First Hunter. And I. 

Second Hunter. You can count on me c 

Governor (laughing). Well, you have three 
good recruits already. 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 59 

Clark. What compensation could I offer the 
men who go with me ? 

Governor. A few hundred acres of land ought 
to be sufficient inducement. 

Clark. That would, no doubt, be satisfactory. 

Guide. I would go for nothing. 

(Hunters nod approval.) 

Governor (rising and walking up and down). 
Very well, I will appoint you colonel of 
militia with the right to raise an army. 
How many men do you need? 

Clark. About a hundred and fifty would be 
sufficient. 

Governor. I will do all that I can for you in 

this good cause. Now let us continue our 

journey. By night we can reach the city, 

where the final plans may be made. 

(All pick up their belongings and go out.) 



60 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

SCENE II 
A Stockade on an Island in the Ohio River 

CHARACTERS 

Clark 

(A Sentry) Henry 

Barker George 

Martin Other Recruits 

(Barker is cleaning a rifle. Martin is sharp- 
ening a hatchet.) 

Barker. I wonder how soon we shall have a 

chance to use these weapons against the 

British. 
Martin. Before long, I hope. I am tired of 

waiting. 
Clark (entering with Henry and George, and 

overhearing the last remarks). If my plans 

turn out as I expect, we shall meet the 

enemy in a little while. 
Martin. That is good. Where are we going 

next? 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 61 

Clark. George, go and tell the rest of the 
recruits to come in here, Then I will 
tell you all about it. 

(George salutes and goes out.) 

Barker. We are well drilled, and in good 
fighting trim. 

(George enters with the recruits. All gather 
around Clark.) 

Clark. I sent for you to tell you that we will 
continue our trip West in a few days. Our 
destination will be Vincennes and Kas- 
kaskia. We must capture these forts and 
drive the British out. 

George. We can never do that. 

Martin. Of course we can. 

Clark. There is no such word as failure. 

Henry. If I had known about this, I should 
never have left Tennessee. 

Barker. Keep up your courage, man. We 
are soldiers now. 

Clark. That is the right spirit, Barker. 



62 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

George. I am going back home before we are 

all killed. 
Henry. So am I. 
Clark. Indeed you are not. If you attempt 

to desert, you will be punished. 

(Some of the recruits gather around George and 
Henry and grumble among themselves.) 

Martin (speaking to Barker and motioning 

toward those who are grumbling). They 

have not the courage of flies. 
Barker. Well, if it comes to the worst, there 

are enough of us without them. 
Clark. No, we need every one of you. We 

will attack Kaskaskia first, marching secretly 

across the country until we reach the fort. 
Barker. I am glad we are going to start so 

soon. 
Clark. It is time we all turned in for the 

night. To-morrow we must begin early 

preparations for the trip. 

(All lie down and go to sleep.) 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 63 

Henry {sitting up and speaking in an audible 

whisper to George). Let us escape while 

they are all asleep. 
George. How can we get past the guard ? 
Henry. Hush ! I hear footsteps now. 
(They both lie down again. Passing steps are 

heard.) 
Sentry (from outside). Nine o'clock. All's 

well. 

(Steps recede.) 
Henry. Hurry, we can go out now and be 

gone before he comes this way again. 
George. Then we can wade to the Kentucky 

shore and hide in the woods. 

(They go out softly. At the door Henry knocks 
his foot against something, making a noise.) 

George. Hush ! Clark is stirring. 

(They crouch down. Clark turns over.) 
Henry. Now let us run as fast as we can. 

(They go out.) 
Clark (sitting up) . I thought I heard some one 



64 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

going out. (Sentry's step is heard outside.) 
Hello there, sentry. 

(Sentry appears at door with lantern, and 
salutes.) 

Sentry. What is it, sir? 

Clark. Did you see anybody moving about, 

or hear anything unusual? 
Sentry. No, sir, I have seen and heard 

nothing out of the ordinary. 
Clark. Turn your lantern this way. 

(He holds the lantern high and turns it in the 
direction indicated. The men sit up and rub 
their eyes.) 

Barker. What is the trouble ? Are the British 

here? 
Clark. Henry and George have escaped. 
Martin. I was just dreaming that they had 

deserted. 
Clark. Well, your dream has come true. 

(All get up.) 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 65 

Barker. Let us form a searching party and 
bring them back. 

Clark. They have just gone. We shall have 
no difficulty in tracking them, for the 
ground is still soft from yesterday's rain. 

Martin. A man who deserts has no shame ! 
(All take up guns and hatchets and go out.) 





SCENE III 


A Room 


in the Fort at Kaskaskia 




CHARACTERS 


Clark 


An Indian 


Martin 


A Fiddler 


A Priest 


British Officers 


Barker 


Dancers 



(The Fiddler is playing; dancers are dancing 
the Virginia Reel. Clark is leaning against 
the door, looking on. Barker and Martin 
are standing near Clark. An Indian is per- 
forming a dance of his own.) 



6G HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Clark (to Barker and Martin). It is a wonder 
that they have not discovered us. 

Barker. They think we are either French 
or English from some neighboring settle- 
ment. If they knew who we really are 
there would be no more merriment here 
to-night. 

Martin. I hope the men outside will keep 
quiet long enough to give us a chance to 
watch the dancers for a while. 

Clark. Some of them are very graceful. 

Barker. The Indian is getting tired. 

Martin. I should think he might. A dance 
as wild as that is enough to exhaust any 
one, 

(The Indian sits down on the floor and fans 
himself with his hand. He motions for Clark 
and his men to join the dancers. They shake 
their heads. The Indian comes nearer, looks 
at them, and grunts.) 

Barker. He seems displeased. 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 67 

Clark. Most Indians have the habit of seem- 
ing displeased. 

Martin. When are you going to give the 
signal for the soldiers to take possession 
of the fort? 

Clark. As soon as this dance is over. It is 
too bad to put an end to their pleasure, 
but we have no time to lose. 

Martin. That Indian is trying to hear what 
we are saying. 

Barker. He looks uglier than ever. 

(Indian gives a war whoop. The dancers stop 
suddenly. The Fiddler stops playing. Every- 
body talks at once.) 

Clark (raising his hand to command silence.) 
Go on with your dancing, but understand 
that you are no longer subjects of the king 
of England. This place is in the hands of 
Virginia. 

(Clark blows a whistle. His soldiers rush in, 
with the officers of the fort as prisoners.) 



68 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOB CHILDREN 

• 

An Officer. Resistance is useless. The fort 
is surrounded and captured. 

A Dancer. We ask for nothing but our lives. 

Clark. We are not here to kill. We come 
to free you from the tyranny of England. 

A Dancer. What do you want us to do ? 

Clark. Swear allegiance to America. 

An Officer. What would King Louis of France 
say? 

Barker. Your king is going to send us ships 
and money. 

A Dancer. If that is so, I do not see why we 
should not do as the gentleman suggests. 

Clark. You might as well go on with your 
dancing. We shall not harm you. 

Fiddler. I am so frightened I could not play 
another tune to save my life. (He trem- 
bles and drops his violin bow on the floor.) 

Clark. Go to your houses, all of you ! We 
are in possession of the fort. Anybody 
seen outside his door to-night will be shot. 

A Dancer. Let us go home. 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOB CHILDREN 69 

A Priest (entering). What does this confusion 

mean? 
An Officer. The Americans have taken pos- 
session of Kaskaskia. 
Priest (to Clark). What do you intend to do 

to my people ? 
Clark. Nothing, so long as they conduct 

themselves in a peaceable manner. 
Priest. They are quiet, God-fearing men and 

women. I hope you will treat them with 

consideration. 
Clark. That depends entirely on themselves. 
A Dancer. I should be just as well pleased 

to be under the rule of America as under 

that of England. 
Priest. I trust that you will not close our 

church. 
Clark. By the laws of our Republic, one 

church has as much right as another. 
Priest. If all conquerors were as generous, 

war would lose its terrors. 
Clark. To-morrow we will explain matters 



70 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

more fully. (To soldiers.) Take the pris- 
oners to the guard room, and lock them up 
for the night. The rest of you go home, 
and stay there until the bugle blows in 
the morning. 

(All but Clark, Barker, and Martin go out 
hurriedly, followed by the Indian, who is 
grunting and making grimaces.) 

Martin. I expected more trouble than this. 

Barker. They saw that there was no use 
in resisting. 

Clark. Let us hope that we shall be as suc- 
cessful at Vincennes. 

(They go out.) 

SCENE IV 
Cahokia (near Kaskaskia.) 

CHARACTERS 

Clark, his riflemen, Chiefs of the Ottawas, the 
Chippewas, the Pottawattomies, the Sacs, and 
the Foxes, and men of their tribes 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 71 

{Clark, his riflemen, and the chiefs with hands 
and feet bound, stand together. The Indians 
file in and squat round in a circle. All 
are supposed to speak in Indian tongue. 
The Indians are silent and gloomy.) 

Clark. Red men, the Long Knives have 
called you to this council. Before we begin 
we will release your captive chiefs. (Rifle- 
men cut the cords which bind the hands and 
feet of the captive chiefs.) Do you see this 
bloody war belt? I hold it in my right 
hand to show that we have no fear of you. 

Chief of Ottawas. The white chief is brave. 

Chief of Pottawattomies. Let us hear what else 
he has to say. 

Clark. We have a right to put you all to 
death for your cruelty to our people; but 
I will let you go outside the town. Then 
in three days we will make war upon you. 

Chief of Sacs. We do not want to fight. We 
might- have our hands and feet bound again. 
(He feels his wrists.) 



72 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Clark. Here in my left hand I carry the belt 
of peace. If you wish to choose that, you 
may ; but if you wish to make the war belt 
bloodier, I will call so many warriors from 
the thirteen council fires that they will 
darken the land. 

Chief of Foxes. Ugh ! Give me the peace 
belt. 

Chief of Chippewas. Let us smoke the calu- 
met. 

Clark. No, I will not smoke with you, after 
all that you have done ; but I will give you 
the peace belt if you want it. 

(Chiefs all rush forward, seize it, and pass it 
around.) 

Chief of Ottawas. What can we do to gain 
your favor? 

Clark. Give us two braves to be killed here 
before your eyes, to remind you of what 
you have done to innocent people. 

(Indians all grunt and groan. Finally, two 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 73 

braves come forward and offer themselves. 
They give Clark their tomahawks, sit at his 
feet, bow their heads, and cover them with 
blankets.) 

Chief of Pottawattomies. Those are two of our 
strongest young braves. Do not kill them 

Clark. They well deserve the name of braves, 
I will pardon them both. I will forgive 
you, also, for your misdeeds if you will 
promise not to go on the warpath again. 

Chief of Sacs. We promise. 

Other chiefs. Yes, we promise. 

Clark. Very well, then, to-morrow we will 
have a feast to celebrate this great peace 
council. 

(All go out, looking pleased.) 



74 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

SCENE V 
A Room in a House in the Village of Vincennes 

CHARACTERS 

Clark 
A Messenger American Soldiers 

Hamilton Indians 

Helm 

Clark (writing at a table). I wonder what 
reply the British general will send to my 
summons to surrender. I told him that 
if we were obliged to storm the fort, we 
would treat the captors as murderers. 

Messenger (entering and saluting). A letter 
from General Hamilton, sir. (He hands 
Clark a dispatch, and stands at attention.) 

Clark (taking dispatch and hurriedly tearing 
it open). This is a strange answer. (Read- 
ing.) "British soldiers will do nothing dis- 
honorable/' I had hoped for peaceful sur- 
render, but I fear that we must renew the 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 75 

attack. Send Captain Helm to me at once. 

Messenger. Yes, sir. (He salutes and goes 
out.) 

Clark. This may be a ruse on the part of 
General Hamilton. I cannot believe that 
he will stand a siege. 

Captain Helm (entering and saluting). You 
sent for me, sir. 

Clark (motioning toward a chair). Yes, be 
seated. I wanted to confer with you re- 
garding another attack on the fort. 

Helm. That will be unnecessary. I heard 
one of the British soldiers say that a flag 
of truce will be raised in a short time. 

Clark. If that report is reliable, we shall be 
saved a great deal of trouble. 

Messenger (entering and saluting). The Brit- 
ish have raised a flag of truce. 

Clark. Wait, and I will send a message to 
Hamilton. (He ivrites a note and hands it 
to the messenger.) Bring a reply as soon 
as possible. 



76 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Messenger. Very well, sir. (He salutes and 
goes oat.) 

Clark. I have asked him to meet me here. 

Helm. That is a good idea. I hope that 
satisfactory terms may be made. 

Clark. Satisfaction or war is what I mean to 
have. 

Messenger (entering with Hamilton and salut- 
ing). I met General Hamilton on his way 
here. 

(Clark motions for messenger to withdraw. He 
salutes and goes out.) 

Clark (rising and pointing to a chair). Be 

seated, sir. 

(They both sit down stiffly.) 

Hamilton. I have come to discuss the terms 

of the surrender of Vincennes. 
Clark. It must be unconditional, or a siege 

will follow. 
Hamilton. I should like to ask that you 

practice no cruelty on the captors. 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 77 

Clark (rising angrily). Do you talk to us of 
cruelty after you have sent out savage In- 
dians to slaughter men, women, and chil- 
dren ? Oh, this is absurd. (He throws him- 
self down in his chair.) 

Hamilton (tapping nervously with his foot). 
Anything is said to be fair in war. 

Clark. It is a pleasure to tell you that 
Americans have no such belief. 

(Enter officers in charge of captured scalping 
party, which had been sent out by Hamilton. 
Each has a scalp at his belt. Indians grunt 
at one another and touch their scalping knives.) 

Clark. Here is an example of your cruelty. 

Each one of those scalps means murder. 

It is outrageous. You deserve no quarter 

from us. 

(They both rise.) 
Helm. What punishment should be given 

them? 
Clark. Have them shot and their bodies 



78 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

thrown into the river. That treatment is 
merciful compared to the outrages that they 
have committed. 

(Helm leads them out. Clark and Hamilton 
are left alone.) 

Hamilton (nervously moving about). When 
do you wish the surrender to take place ? 

Clark. As soon as possible. To-morrow 
morning the British flag shall be hauled 
down, and the fort and its supplies shall 
be turned over to us. You shall all be made 
prisoners of war, and sent to Virginia. The 
name of the fort shall be changed to Pat- 
rick Henry, and the entire Ohio region will 
belong to America instead of to England. I 
will see that a guard escorts you safely back 
to the fort, if you wish to return now. 

(Hamilton bows stiffly and passes out, followed 
by Clark.) 



SIR WALTER RALEIGH 

SCENE I 

Farmhouse near the Otter River in the South- 
ern Part of England 

CHARACTERS 

Walter Raleigh 
Catherine Raleigh, his wife 
Walter, their son 
Humphrey and Adrian, his two half-brothers 

Catherine Raleigh (to Raleigh). I wish these 
boys would come home. Supper is all 
ready, and they are not here yet. 

Raleigh. No doubt they will be back soon. 
But there is no occasion for anxiety about 
Walter, so long as he is with Humphrey 
and Adrian. They always take good care 
of him. 

79 




80 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOE CHILDREN 81 

Catherine Raleigh. What you say is true; 
but hunting in these forests is more or less 
dangerous. (She looks at the clock.) It is 
already a quarter past six. If they do not 
come in half an hour, you had better go to 
look for them. 

(Enter Walter, Humphrey, and Adrian, with 
guns and a brace of partridges.) 

Walter. Here we are, mother, as hungry as 
wolves. 

Catherine Raleigh. I am glad you came home 
before your supper got cold. I was be- 
ginning to wonder what had become of you. 

Raleigh. What luck did you have with your 
hunting, boys? 

Humphrey. These birds are all we shot, but 
they are good fat ones. 

Raleigh (examining the birds). They are the 
best I have seen this season. 

Adrian. Over at the edge of the woods, 
Walter missed a deer by a hair's breadth. 



82 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Walter. Better luck next time ! Hunting 
is great sport, whether you shoot anything 
or not. By the way, mother, are we going 
to have something good for supper? (He 
looks at table.) 

Catherine Raleigh. Yes, everything is ready. 
Come, everybody, and sit down at once. 

(They sit around supper table.) 

Raleigh. Well, I suppose next week Walter 
will be leaving us to go to college ; so he will 
have to get all his hunting done before then. 

Adrian (laughing). We are going again to- 
morrow to shoot that deer he missed. 

Catherine Raleigh (to Walter). I hope, my 
boy, that you will work hard at Oxford. 

Walter. I will do as well as I can; but I 
would prefer to go to sea. 

Catherine Raleigh. Where did you get that 
notion, child ? 

Adrian. He has been reading about Co- 
lumbus and Magellan, and wants to be an 
explorer. 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 83 

Humphrey. Ever since I gave him that book 
about their voyages he has been wild to 
set sail. 

Raleigh. Stories of such brave men will do 
him no harm. Perhaps he can carry out 
"his ambitions after he graduates from col- 
lege. 

Walter. Yesterday I was talking with a couple 
of old sailors on the beach, and they told 
me more about the sea than I have ever 
read in books. 

Raleigh. Well, we will consider that subject 
again, when you are a few years older. 
(To Catherine.) I believe in letting the boy 
do what he seems best fitted to do. (She 
nods assent.) 

Walter. I am fifteen this month. When I 
graduate from Oxford, I shall be eighteen. 
Then I am going to be a sailor. 

Catherine Raleigh. You are too young to 
choose your life work now. Adrian and 
Humphrey have not made up their minds 



84 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

yet what they are going to do, and they 

are over twenty. 
Adrian. If everybody is through sapper, 

let us go out and prepare the partridges 

for to-morrow's breakfast. What do you 

say, mother ? 
Catherine Raleigh. Very well. You boys may 

do the work, and I will see that the birds 

are cooked for you. 

(Adrian picks up the birds). 
Walter. Partridges are all right, but I hope 

I shall shoot some deer to-morrow. 

(All go out.) 

SCENE II 

A Room in Oxford University 

CHARACTERS 
Raleigh and his Cousin, Henry Champenon 

(Raleigh is studying at a table. Henry enters.) 
Henry. My, but you are working hard ! 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 85 

Raleigh. I am trying to get ready for the 

approaching examinations. 
Henry (sitting down). How would you like 

a vacation? 
Raleigh. Nothing would suit me better. 
Henry (rising). Then come with me to 

France. There is war between the king 

and the Huguenots, and I am going to fight 

for the Huguenots. 
Raleigh. Are you going alone? 
Henry. Oh, no, there are a hundred of us. 
Raleigh. That will be interesting. I have 

half a notion to go, too. 
Henry (walking across the room). Come along. 

You can finish your college work another 

year. 
Raleigh. I have always wanted an adventure 

like this. 
Henry (returns and sits on the edge of the table.) 

Well, here is your chance. We will have a 

glorious trip, and perhaps win endless fame. 
Raleigh. When do you start ? 



86 HISTORICAL PLAYS FQB CHILDREN 

Henry. In about a week four ships will be 
ready to take us. 

Raleigh. All right, I am with you. 

Henry. If you have time to come down to 
the village with me now, you can meet the 
rest of the party. They will all be there 
inside of half an hour. 

Raleigh. That I will. (He takes his cap, and 

they both start out.) At last my wish to go 

to sea will be satisfied. I must write home 

to father and mother to-night and tell 

them of my good fortune. 

(Both go out.) 

SCENE III 

England — A Park near Queen 
Elizabeth's Castle 

CHARACTERS 
Queen Elizabeth 
A Lady-in-waiting 
Raleigh 
Earl of Leicester 




HISTORICAL I%kAYS FOR CHILDREN 87 

Elizabeth (to Laoy-in-^aiting). I had no idea 
there was so much iJiud about here. (She 
picks up her skirts.) 

Lady. It rained very hard during the night. 
(She points to the wet grass.) 

Elizabeth. The ground is soaked v» cannot 
cross this wet place without soiling our >hoes. 

(They stand, undeeid^^ 

Lady. Yonder is the Earl of Leicester. Per- 
haps he will help us across. 

Elizabeth (looking in the direction indicated). 
Who is that man with him ? 

Lady. Walter Raleigh, who has just returned 
to England. 

Elizabeth (lowering her voice). He is the man 
who went to France when he was eighteen 
years old, to fight for the Huguenots. 

Lady. Yes, and after that he fought in Hol- 
land. 

Elizabeth. He and his brother, Sir Humphrey, 
made an unsuccessful voyage to America. 
I have forgotten where he went next. 



88 HISTORICAL PLAYS fioR CHILDREN 

Lady. Last year he v^ as in Ireland putting 

down the Rebellion. 
Elizabeth. The ma\i has led a very busy 

life. 
Lady [mfdwming toward the men who have been 

conversing). See! He and Leicester are 

coming to our assistance. 

(Raleigh and Leicester approach; both bow low.) 

Leicester. Permit us to assist you in stepping 

across that muddy place. 
Elizabeth. It is a long step. I am afraid 

that we cannot succeed in making it. 

(Raleigh quickly removes his cloak and throws 
it down for the queen to walk over. The two 
men take off their hats and bow low. Eliza- 
beth walks on the cloak. The Lady-in- 
waiting follows.) 

m 

Elizabeth. Walter Raleigh, there is not a 
more gallant cavalier than you In all my 
court. 

Raleigh. It is an honor to serve your Majesty. 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 89 

Elizabeth. Your manner of speech is as 
courteous as the deed you have just per- 
formed. 

Raleigh (picking up cloak). I shall preserve 
this mud-stained garment as one of my 
most valued possessions. 

Elizabeth. I shall see that you are generously 
rewarded for your kindness. We do not 
forget such courtesy. 

Raleigh. Your approval is the only reward 
I seek. 

Elizabeth. Leicester, I shall expect you to 
bring this gentleman to the castle the next 
time you come. 

Leicester. I shall be glad to do your Maj- 
esty's bidding. When are we expected ? 

Elizabeth. To-morrow, without fail, 

Leicester. We shall be there. 

(The men bow and kiss the queen's hand. 
Elizabeth and Lady-in-waiting go one way. 
The men go in the opposite direction.) 



90 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

SCENE IV 
Raleigh's Room 

CHARACTERS 

Raleigh 

A Messenger 

(Raleigh is reading a book. A knock is heard.) 

Raleigh. Who can that be at this time of 
night? I wish I might be let alone until 
I finish this tale. (Raleigh opens door.) 

Raleigh. Good evening, sir. I know your 
face, but cannot recall your name. 

Messenger. I was sent here by the queen. 

Raleigh. Come in. Come in. What is your 
errand ? 

(Messenger enters, carrying a letter and a 
bundle.) 

Messenger. There is no reply to carry back, 

so I wijl not stop. 
Raleigh. Nonsense, my friend, there is no 

hurry. Sit down and rest a moment. 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 91 

(Messenger hands the bundle and the letter to 
Raleigh.) 

Messenger. The queen has sent you these 
tokens of regard. 

Raleigh (opening and reading letter). This is 
indeed good news you bring me. I am to 
be knighted to-morrow. How proud my 
father and mother will be when they hear 
of my good fortune. 

Messenger. I am glad for your sake. You 
are a brave man and deserve this honor. 

Raleigh. The letter says that this bundle con- 
tains a cloak that I am to wear for the 
occasion, and to keep as a gift from the 
queen. 

( Raleigh opens bundle and finds a cloak.) 

Messenger (examining cloak). It is made of 
beautiful velvet. 

Raleigh. I had never expected to possess so 
valuable a garment. It is almost too fine 
to wear. 



92 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Messenger. The queen is very generous. 
Raleigh. She is, indeed. She gave me this 

to replace an old cape I laid in the mud, so 

that she could pass over without wetting her 

feet. 
Messenger. I heard all about that. Every 

one at the court is talking of your knightly 

deed. 
Raleigh. It was no more than any gentleman 

would have done for a lady. 

(They go out together.) 

SCENE V 
A Room in Sir Walter's Castle in England 

CHARACTERS 

Raleigh Adrian 

John and William, Two Servants 

John (entering on tiptoe, followed by William, 
both whispering audibly). I think master 
is asleep. 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 93 

William. >, he is holding a book before 

his eyes. He :s reading. 
John. I smell smoke. 
William (looking around). Yes, and I see it. 

Something is burning. 
John. Master himself is smoking (pointing 

to Raleigh). 
William (turning and seizing John's arm). 

Do you suppose that he is on fire? 
John. I do not know : but smoke is coming 

out of his mouth and nose. 
William. Maybe he is bewitched. 
John. What shall we do? I am afraid. 
William. So am I; but we must put out 

the flames, or they may set fire to 

us. 
John. How can we do it? 
William (grabbing a pitcher of water). This 

way. (He rushes toward Sir Walter and 

pours the water over him.) 
Raleigh (angrily jumping up). What does 

this mean? What are you about? 



94 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

(The two servants are frightened, and try to hide 
behind each other.) 

John (trembling). You were on fire, my lord. 
Raleigh. Oh, you stuped fellows, I was 

smoking. 
William. Of course you were. That is why 

I poured the water on you. 
Raleigh. You do not understand. There is 

nothing on fire but the tobacco in my 

pipe. Look here t (He shows them how to 

smoke.) 
John. Why do you do that, master? 
Raleigh. You ask a question that is hard to 

answer. Smoking is a habit (squeezing 

water out of his clothes). 
William. It is a very queer custom. I never 

saw anything like that before. 
Raleigh. Everybody in America smokes, and 

it will not be long before Englishmen will 

do the same. 
Adrian (entering and laughing). What does 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 95 

all this mean? Did you go to sleep and 

set fire to your book? 
Raleigh. No, these thick-headed servants of 

mine thought that because smoke came 

out of my mouth I was on fire. 
Adrian. They are good servants to look out 

so carefully for your safety. I hope you will 

forgive them. 
John and William (to Adrian). Thank you, 

sir. We meant no harm. 
Raleigh. Perhaps I may forgive them when 

I get some dry clothes on. I am as wet as 

if I had been shipwrecked. It is not always 

necessary to go out of one's own house to 

find excitement. 

(All go out). 





96 



FERDINAND MAGELLAN 

SCENE I 
Court of Portugal 

CHARACTERS 

King of Portugal 
Courtiers 
A Messenger 
Magellan 

Messenger (entering) . Ferdinand Magellan, 

your Majesty. 
King (to Messenger). Bring Magellan into 

our presence. (Magellan enters.) You may 

state your business, Magellan. 
Magellan. Your Majesty, I have come to 

ask a favor which I trust may be granted. 
King. We hope that it is a reasonable re- 

h 97 



98 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

quest. We can promise nothing until we 
hear what it is. 

Magellan. For many years I have served in 
the Portuguese navy; but I have never 
been promoted, and I am anxious for ad- 
vancement. 

King. That is impossible. For the present 
you must be content to stay where you 
are. We will make promotions in due 
time. 

Magellan. I have waited for a long time, and 
I am very much dissatisfied. 

King. You are too ambitious. 

Magellan. If your Majesty refuses my re- 
quest, I should like permission to serve 
some other sovereign. I am not content 
to stand still always. 

King. Do as you wish. We shall not try 
to prevent you. Discontented subjects are 
worse than none. 

Magellan. I should have been glad to fight 
for Portugal all my life ; but if my services 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 99 

are not valued, I shall no longer remain in 
this country. I shall transfer my allegiance 
to the king of Spain. Therefore I bid your 
Majesty adieu. 

(Magellan offers to kiss the king's hand, at- 
cording to the custom of the time, hit the king 
withdraws his hand. Magellan, with a look 
of anger, leaves.) 

King. We are glad to be rid of that trouble- 
some fellow. Such men are only an annoy- 
ance. Our business is over for the day. 
Let us withdraw. 

(All go out.) 




100 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN. 

SCENE II 

The Cabin of a Ship on the Rio de la Plata 

River 

CHARACTERS 

Magellan Tomaso 

Alphonso Granado 

Domingo Manzaro 

Alphonso (tasting water in a cup). This water 

grows less salty every day. In fact, it is 

almost fresh here. 
Magellan. Then we must be sailing up a 

river and leaving the ocean farther behind 

us. 
Domingo (shivering). Well, I am glad we shall 

have good drinking water ; but it is getting 

cold. I am shivering. 
Tomaso. Soon the water will freeze and we 

shall be ice-bound. Then we shall have 

neither warmth nor water. 
Granado (sighing). I am sure we shall never 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 101 

find the strait we are looking for. No 
doubt, this land stretches from pole to pole. 
(He makes sweeping gestures from north to 
south.) 

Magellan, Cheer up, men. You are getting 
discouraged. Before long we shall reach 
the islands we are seeking (The Moluccas). 
Then our journey will be at an end. 

Manzaro. What do we care for those islands ? 
Our lives are worth more than the cargoes 
of spice we may find there; but now it 
looks as though we should lose both our 
lives and the spice. (He sinks dejectedly 
on a bench.) 

Alphonso. That is true. Let us start for 
home before we are all frozen and starved. 
Everybody wants to go back. 

Magellan. Where is your courage, men ? We 
can anchor here until the winter is over, 
and then go on. You must be patient. 

Domingo. How can we keep warm until 
spring? Tell me that, if you can. 



102 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Magellan. Not far up the stream is a shel- 
tered bay with plenty of wood growing 
on the Chores. We can build good fires 
and be very comfortable. 

Tomaso. What is there to eat? We cannot 
live on fire. 

Magellan. There are fish in the water and 
birds on land. They will supply us all with 
the meat we want. 

Granado. A winter here is a cheerless pros- 
pect. I should hate to remain in such a 
desolate spot. {Buttons his coat more 
tightly.) 

Magellan. Listen, my men. Would you go 
back to Spain, and say, "We came home 
because we were cold"? That would be 
disgraceful. Everybody would despise us. 

Manzaro. That is true, comrades ; every one 
would laugh at us if we went back after 
we had gone so far. 

Magellan. I am surprised at your desire to 
return. You are Spaniards, and Spaniards 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 103 

are brave. I myself would rather die than 

turn back. 
Alphonso. Well, I can stand it, if the rest of 

you can. 
Domingo. No doubt we shall be obliged to. 
Tomaso. I hope the winter will not last long. 
Granado. I wish that I had never come. 

(All go out, sighing and grumbling.) 



SCENE III 
Patagonia — A Grove 

CHARACTERS 

Magellan Granado 

Tomaso Manzaro 

Domingo Alphonso 

Tomaso (leading Patagonian by the hand). 
Let me introduce my friend. 

(All crowd round. Patagonian smiles and 
makes signs. All do the same.) 



104 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Manzaro. Isn't he a giant ? I should think 
a man of your size would be afraid of him. 
Where did you find him? 

Tomaso. Over there in the woods. There 
are many more just like him. I have been 
making friends with him. 

Alphonso. So it seems. What big feet he has ! 

Domingo. Let us call him "Patagonian." 
That means "big feet/' 

Magellan. A good idea. Then we might 
name the country round about here Pata- 
gonia, after this man and the other in- 
habitants. 

Granado (giving the man a looking-glass). Here 
is a present for you. (Aside.) He does 
not understand a word I say, but that does 
not matter. Everybody likes presents. 

(The Patagonian takes the present, smiles, 
nods, seems pleased. Then he looks at him- 
self and is so amazed that he jumps back and 
knocks down three of the Spaniards. Two 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 105 

other Patagonian giants come in. They also 
are given presents, and go out pleased.) 

Magellan. They will all go and tell their 
friends, and we shall have no trouble with 
the natives of this country. 

(All go out, laughing and talking.) 

SCENE V 

Cabin of a Ship — Straits of Magellan 

CHARACTERS 

Magellan The Pilot 

The Captain Alphonso 

The Mate Sailors 

Magellan. We have at last reached the 

strait that we have been trying to find. 

I am glad that we persevered until we met 

with success. 
Captain. As we know no other name for it, 

let us call it the Straits of Magellan, in your 

honor. 



106 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Magellan. Very well, if you can think of 

nothing better. 
Alphonso (to Pilot). You seem to be very sure 

about the character of this body of water. 

How do you know that it is a channel ? 
Pilot. If you doubt my judgment, we had 

better sail through. Then you will be 

convinced. 
Mate. Why do we sail any farther? Let 

us go home and return with another fleet. 

I am tired of this voyage. 
Alphonso. We have so little food that, if 

there should be a bad storm or a long calm 

to delay us, we should starve. 
Magellan. Do you all agree that you would 

like to return? If so, we will start for 

Spain to-day. 
Captain. Why should we go back, now that 

the way has become so easy ? I say, let 

us go on. 
Pilot. The islands (The Moluccas) must be 

close at hand. That is our real destination. 

It is foolish to turn around now. 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 107 

A Sailor. Let us keep on. I can bear as 
much hardship as the rest of you. 

Magellan. We will vote on this. All who 
wish to return to Spain, raise the right hand. 

(Only Alphonso and the Mate raise their hands.) 

Magellan. We will go on exactly as we have 
planned, and thus keep our promise to the 
king. May we have good luck ! 
(All shout "Hurrah, hurrah!" All go out.) 

SCENE VI 
Island of Cebu — The Philippines 

CHARACTERS 

The Pilot 
Tomaso Domingo 

Granado Alphonso 

Alphonso. I am glad that we have at last 
found something good to eat. It seems ages 
since we had a good meal. 



108 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Captain. I have never seen such quantities 

of fruit going to waste. It is lying on the 

ground everywhere. 
Tomaso. I have just found some figs a foot 

long. (He holds up a banana.) 
Magellan. Those are not figs. They are 

bananas. (All laugh.) 

Pilot. There are oranges and cocoanuts lying 

all over the ground. To-day I ate so many 

that I could not eat any more. 
Magellan. The king of this island says that 

he will show us where to get all the spices 

we want if we will help him to gather his 

rice crop. He seems to need assistance. 
Granado. How long will it take ? We ought 

not to spend much time and strength on 

that kind of work. 
Magellan. About two days, if we work steadily. 

It is not very difficult labor. 
Domingo. That will be only play for us after 

the hardships that we have endured. We 

need some good outdoor exercise, anyway. 






HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 109 

Alphonso. I have very little faith in the 
friendship of these heathen. They have 
no regard for the truth. 

Magellan. But the king called me "Brother," 
and said that no one but Spaniards should 
ever trade on this island. If he keeps his 
word, we ought to be very glad. 

Captain. I wish we could capture all these 
islands. They would be a valuable pos- 
session. 

Pilot. Why not do so? It would require 
very little fighting. We are under no obliga- 
tion of friendship to the natives. 

Alphonso. Yes, we are strong enough to 
overcome the inhabitants with very little 
difficulty. The idea is worth considering. 

Magellan. I am willing to make the attempt, 
if you wish. If we should succeed, it would 
be a satisfaction to take the good news 
back to the king. 

(All go out, talking.) 



110 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

SCENE VII 
Cabin of a Ship — Near the Moluccas 

CHARACTERS 

Native Chief Pilot 

Captain Others 

(In native language) 

Chief. How do you expect me to enter your 
ship when I cannot get through the low 
door of your cabin ? 

Captain. You will have to bow your head. 
The entrance was built for shorter men. 

Chief (indignantly). I never bow to any- 
thing. Unless I can come among you with 
my head erect, I will stay out. 

Pilot. Let him sit in a chair, and we will 
drag him through the door. (Aside, pre- 
sumably in Spanish.) How particular these 
savages are ! 

(Chief sits in a chair and is drawn through the 
door.) 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 111 

Captain. We should like to buy some spices 
from you, and take them back to Spain. 
That is our chief business here on your 
island; and that is why we asked you to 
confer with us. 

Chief. If you can pay a good price, I think 
perhaps we can make a bargain. What 
kinds of spice do you want? 

Captain. Principally cloves. I understand 
that large quantities grow here. 

Chief. They grow abundantly on our island. 
I have no doubt that we can come to some 
agreement. 

Captain. We started with plenty of money; 
but on our way we were robbed at some 
islands lying to the east. 

Chief. Those are the robber islands (La- 
drones) . The people there are all thieves. It 
is unfortunate that you fell into their hands. 

Captain. If we had not been robbed of so 
much, we could pay you more, but we will 
give you everything that we have left. 



112 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Chief. What can you offer for the cloves 
that you wish to take with you? 

(They hand over ribbons, cloth, hatchets, knives, 
scissors, caps, and mirrors.) 

Captain. That is all, I think. 

Chief. It is not enough to pay for all the 

spice you can carry away in your ships. 
Pilot. Then let us give him as many of our 

clothes as we can spare. 

(They take off coats, caps, etc.) 
Captain. We cannot offer you more, I fear. 
Chief. Well, I think now we can afford to 

let you have all the spice you want, though 

it is really worth more than you are 

paying. 
Captain. Show us where to find it, and we 

will follow you. 

(All go out.) 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 113 





SCENE VIII 
Court of Spain 

CHARACTERS 

King 
Captain Pilot 

Alphonso Other 

explorers 
(All half -clad) 

King. Welcome, brave men ! We are glad 
to see you back, but we are deeply grieved 
to know that Magellan, your courageous 
leader, did not return with you. 

Captain. Your Majesty, we cannot express 
our deep sorrow at this great loss to Spain 
and to us. He was killed by treacherous 
natives in a battle on one of the islands 
where we went for spice. 

King. Tell us about your voyage. We are 
anxious to hear all the details of your 
perilous trip. 



114 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Captain. The Victoria is the only ship we 
brought home. 

King. What has become of the others? 

Captain. One was lost in Patagonia. 

Pilot. Another was burned, and one was 
deserted. 

Alphonso. One fell into the hands of the 
Portuguese. 

Captain. Out of five, only one has returned; 
but it is loaded with a cargo of twenty- 
six tons of cloves. 

King. That cargo can be sold for a large sum 
of money. We regret that the other ships 
are gone ; but you have done well, and you 
shall be rewarded. 

Captain. We traded away most of our cloth- 
ing for cloves, your Majesty. That is 
why we look so disreputable. 

King. You shall have clothes, food, and 
plenty of money. You are brave men, and 
we value your services. 

Captain (bowing). We thank your gracious 
Majesty. 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 115 

King. The nation will ever honor you and 
the noble Ferdinand Magellan who found 
a way to sail around the world. We will 
go into the banquet hall, hear further de- 
tails of your voyage, and celebrate your safe 
return. 

(All go out.) 












§KM 
















MM 

rJorJt : yi 



116 



HENRY HUDSON 

SCENE I 
Indian Encampment on the Hudson River 

CHARACTERS 

Chief 
Brave Squaw Medicine Man 

Other Indians Henry Hudson Sailors 

Brave (pointing into the distance). What is 

that floating on the water? 
Chief. It is a strange-looking thing, and it 

is coming nearer. 
Squaw. It looks like a big wigwam. 
Brave. No, it must be an enormous bird. 

See how it spreads its wings ! 
Squaw. If it is not a bird, it is a fish. Watch 

it skim on the surface of the water. 

117 



118 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Medicine Man. It may be the Great Spirit. 
He, too, has large white wings. 

Chief. No doubt what you say is true. That 
is the wigwam of the Great Spirit ; and he 
has come to visit his people. Let us pre- 
pare to welcome him and his attendants. 
See, they are landing in a small boat. 

(Indians form a semicircle. Henry Hudson, 
clad in bright-colored clothing, and followed 
by his sailors, enters boldly.) 

Henry Hudson. Good day, strangers. 

(Indians all silently bow to the ground.) 

Henry Hudson (to a sailor). Pour out a cup 
of spirits to cheer our silent friends. They 
do not understand our language. 

(Sailor pours out spirits from a small cask. 
Indians watch in amazement, and walk 
around the white men, examining their clothes. 
Hudson takes cup and hands it to the chief. 
He passes it to the next Indian. Each smells 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 119 

it and makes a ivry face, but no one tastes it. 
It reaches the Medicine Man last.) 

Hudson (to sailors) . This is a drink that will 
warm their hearts and make them feel 
lively. 

Medicine Man. We ought to be ashamed to 
refuse the drink which the Great Spirit 
brings to us. He may be displeased and 
send some dreadful punishment upon us. 
Let us drink without fear. 

(He drinks, gets drunk, and staggers about.) 

Chief. This is indeed the Great Spirit. See 
how strangely the powerful liquid affects 
the one who drinks. 

Medicine Man. Give me more "fire water/' 
Great Spirit. 

Squaw {taking Medicine Man by the arm). 
Come away. You are ill. 

Medicine Man. No, I'm not ill, but every- 
thing seems to be tipping the wrong way. 

Chief (to Squaw). Take him to his wigwam. 



120 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Hudson (to sailors). If they will let him go 
to sleep, he will be all right by to-morrow. 

Brave (to other Indians). We must not refuse 

anything this strange visitor may demand. 

If we should displease him, he might kill us. 

(Indians all bow heads to the ground.) 

Chief. May the great Spirit be merciful to 
us ! 

Hudson (to sailors). Now is our chance to 
bring these Indians to our terms. (Hudson 
motions for Indians to approach, and then 
speaks to sailors.) I will try to get them to 
give us a piece of land. (He turns to Chief 
and spreads out his hands over the ground, 
points to the Indians and then to his own 
men.) 

Chief (to Brave). I wonder how much he 
would like. (Brave shakes his head.) 

Hudson (to sailors). I will ask for as much as 
this bullock's hide will inclose. 

Sailor (laughing). He is going to play that 
old trick on the savages. 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 121 

(Hudson shows Indians the skin and spreads 
it on the ground.) 

Brave (to Chief) . That is a very small amount, 
What could any one do with so little? 

Chief. Hush ! The Great Spirit can do any- 
thing. (He nods cheerfully to Hudson, and 
motions in different directions on the ground.) 
He is welcome to choose the land from any 
place where it best suits him. 

Hudson (nodding gratefully and speaking to 
sailors). We will prepare the hide to make 
the measurements. (He cuts the skin into a 
long, fine string.) 

Brave (to Chief) . That will surround a bigger 
piece of land than it would before he cut it. 

Chief. No ordinary being could show such 
wisdom and skill. 

(The Indians stand back and look on with 
expressions of wonder.) 

Hudson (to his men). Now we will measure 
the land. 



122 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

(They measure, while the Indians excitedly watch 

the proceedings.) 
(Unfurling the Dutch flag). In the name 

of Holland I take possession of this 

land. 
Chief. I wonder where they came from, and 

in what country they dwell. (He points 

questioningly into the distance.) 
Hudson (to his men). If we follow this river, 

perhaps we shall find a northwest passage 

to India. We will sail as far as we can go ; 

then if we do not discover an outlet, we can 

return. 
Chief (to Indians) . I wonder where they are 

going when they leave us. Perhaps we 

could induce them to stay here always. 
Squaw (entering). The Medicine Man is 

asleep and snoring loudly. (She imitates 

snoring and points toward sleeping Medicine 

Man.) 
Hudson (laughing). It is lucky for these men 

that they are not all intoxicated. I have 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 123 

never before heard of such temperate In- 
dians. 

Chief. I hope they will forgive us for refus- 
ing the drink they offered. 

Hudson. I trust that they will keep our land 
safe and not give it to any one else until 
we see them again. 

Chief. These men of the sky are very kind 
to visit us poor earth dwellers. That great 
winged thing that brought them here seems 
half bird and half fish. (He points toward 
the ship.) 

Sailor. I wonder what they are saying about 
our ship, the Half Moon. 

Hudson. Perhaps they want us to go. Well, 
we must start now, anyway. (He nods and 
shakes hands with the Indians, and they all 
go out.) 



124 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

SCENE II 
Cabin of a Ship — (What is now Hudson Bay) 

CHARACTERS 

Henry Hudson 
John Hudson, his son Green 
Pilot Ship's Carpenter 

The Captain 

Green. The men wish me to say that they 

refuse to sail any farther. 
Henry Hudson. Why is this ? It may be 

only a few days until we find the short 

route to India. 
Green. India is a warm country. It must 

be a long distance from this ice and snow. 
Pilot. We are freezing and starving, and if 

you will not turn back to England, we shall 

go without you. 
Henry Hudson. I cannot return, after we 

have come so far. 
Green. The men have decided what they 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 125 

will do, sir. Nothing can make them 
change their purpose. 

Captain (who has entered and heard part of 
the conversation). We will give you a life- 
boat and leave you here. 

John Hudson. You would not desert us like 
that? 

Captain. You can take your choice. Go 
with us or stay here. 

Pilot. Let us leave him. We are better off 
without him. He has brought us nothing 
but bad luck. 

Henry Hudson. Will anybody agree to re- 
main with us? 

Carpenter. I will not leave you ; but we may 
freeze to death here in an open boat among 
the icebergs. . 

Green. Our provisions are very low, and we 
have a long voyage before us. We are tak- 
ing as great a risk as you are. All the men 
who are too ill to work we shall leave with 
you. 



126 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Captain. We have decided to start to-day. 

Here is a gun with some powder and" shot. 

(He hands him the gun.) You ought to be 

able to shoot wild ducks along the ice floes. 
Green. And here is some meal with an iron 

pot to cook it in. Truly we cannot spare 

an ounce of food; but we will give you 

as much as we can. 
Hudson. I think it is cowardly to abandon 

the expedition at this point. 
Captain. I am sorry that you feel so; but 

we are tired of suffering so many hardships. 

Good-by. In a few moments we shall 

weigh anchor. 
Hudson (starting to go out of the cabin, accom- 
panied by his son, John, and the Carpenter). 

Come. We may never see home again; 

but we have accomplished something on 

our voyages. 
Carpenter. Yes, brave master, you have 

navigated the big river (Hudson River) and 

taken possession of the land at the mouth 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 127 

of it. So much have you done for Holland. 
For our beloved England you have explored 
Iceland and Greenland, and all this wonder- 
ful northern country where we are now. 

Hudson. We may fail to find a short route to 
India, but we shall die in a good cause. 

Carpenter. Be of good cheer. England has 
never known a braver explorer, and as 
such your name will be handed down to 
posterity. 

(All go out.) 






128 



JOHN SMITH 

SCENE I 
Shipboard, near the Coast of England 

CHARACTERS 

John Smith William 
Henry George 

Martin Sailors 

(John Smith is studying a chart. The sailors 
are mending ropes.) 

William. For six long weeks the wind has 
blown a gale straight toward the land, 
and the shores of England seem to grow 
plainer rather than dimmer. 

Henry. Yes, I am tired of this voyage. We 
are wasting our time. There is nothing 

k 129 



130 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

to be gained by cruising round in one spot 

forever. 
George. We are making no progress, and at 

this rate we never shall. 
Martin (throwing down his cap). Then let 

us turn back. 
William. We may as well, unless we lose 

sight of land soon. Every morning we can 

see the same line of shore on the horizon, 

and — 
Smith (looking through a spyglass). The 

weather will change to-night. Then the ship 

will fly along like a bird before a hurricane. 
Henry (laughing). He says that every day. 

It is merely a habit, and means nothing. 
Smith. I shall not need to repeat it this time. 

Every indication shows that the wind will 

change before dawn. 
George. What shall we do to pass away the 

time? There is no amusement that we 

have not tried. dear ! (Yawning.) 

Every day seems a week long. 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 131 

William (pointing to a box). Let us open that 
box. It is the only thing on board that we 
have not examined. 

Smith. King James forbade us to look into it 
until we reach America. To disregard his 
orders would be a serious offense. (Smith 
goes out.) 

Henry. It contains the names of those who 
are to govern the colony. If we knew who 
they are, we should at least have something 
to talk about. 

William. Some one told me that John Smith 
is going to murder all those whose names 
appear on the list with his, and make him- 
self sole governor. 

Martin. Perhaps he will kill some of us, too ; 
but that would be better than dying of 
weariness. (All yawn.) 

Henry. Smith is a queer man. No one 
seems to know much about his past. 

George. Where did he live before he came to 
England ? 



132 HISTORICAL PLAYS LOP, CHILDREN 

William. It is said that he was a soldier in 
France, where he rose to be captain. Then 
the Turks took him prisoner and put a heavy 
iron ring around his neck, but he escaped. 
He has had many strange adventures for 
a man only twenty-eight years of age. 

Henry. I believe that he is a dangerous 
person, and I am not alone in my opinion. 

Martin. That is true. Everybody is sus- 
picious of him. I really think that some- 
thing ought to be done. 

George. Then let us ask the captain to lock 
him up until we reach land. We shall 
feel safer. 

Williams. Let us dp so at once. If you will 
all come with me, I will try to convince 
the captain that this should be done. 

(They all go out.) 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOB CHILDREN L33 

SCENE II 
Virginia 

CHARACTERS 
Same as in Scene I 

William. What a beautiful country this is ! 

It is much better than I expected. (He 

points to the surroundings.) 
Henry. The air is so warm and the sky is so 

blue that it seems like paradise, after the 

perils of the ocean. 
George. How large the trees are ! Those 

big oaks must have been growing for a 

great many years. 
Martin. Look at the green hills and the 

broad meadows ! All this certainly repays 

us for the hardships and dangers of the 

voyage. 
George (picking strawberries). See the big 

strawberries I have found ! There are thou- 
sands of them here. 



134 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Henry {examining and tasting them). They 
are as large as those in England and as 
sweet as honey. 

Martin. This afternoon I found some fine 
oysters on the shore. They were delicious, 
and in one of them I spied this beautiful 
pearl. {He shows pearl.) 

Henry. You can have that set in a ring to 
send home to your wife. It must be val- 
uable. It is so large and white. 

(William nods assent.) 

William. I think we shall have plenty of good 
things to eat in this new land. All kinds 
of food seem to grow here in abundance. 

Martin. Indeed, I hope so.- I am nearly 
starved after our long voyage and unsavory 
ship food. 

(Enter John Smith, with a box in his hand.) 

Smith. It is now time to open the sealed 
box, and to find out who are to be the 
governors of the colony. 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 135 

William (aside) . We all know who is anxious 
to rule over us. I do not wonder that he 
is in a hurry to open the box. 

Henry. It is not hard to guess who has been 
chosen first by the king. That was all ar- 
ranged before we left England. 

(They give each other knowing looks.) 

George. Perhaps there will be less dissatis- 
faction when the decision is announced. 

Smith (opening the box) . Silence, my men ! 
(He takes out a paper.) Here is the list. 
I am appointed one of your seven governors. 

(They sneer and assume expressions of disgust.) 

George. Well, what do you want us to do? 

Bow down to you as if you were a king ? 
Smith. No, I demand nothing unreasonable ; 

but we must all work hard to establish a 

colony, to show our appreciation of King 

James's kindness to us. 
Henry. But we are gentlemen. We do not 

know how to work. Gentlemen in England 



136 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

never work. We have never been taught 

anything so degrading. 
Smith. Then you must learn. 
Martin. Learn to work ! Ha, ha ! That is 

a good joke. 

(They all laugh in derision.) 
William. The man must be crazy. 

(They all go out, laughing, followed by Smith, 
who is scowling and reading the list again.) 

SCENE III 
The Forest 

CHARACTERS 

John Smith 

Two Indian Braves 

Two Squaws 

(Enter Smith, followed by Indians.) 

First Brave. What shall we do with him ? 
First Squaw (sharpening her knife on her 
moccasin). Torture him! Torture him! 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 137 

Second Brave. No, make him help us fight 
the white men. Then we may have some 
more prisoners to torture. 

Smith (aside). I will surprise them with 
something they have never seen before. 

(He shows the Indians his compass. They 
crowd around. He turns the needle. All 
watch the point return to the north. They 
exchange looks of surprise, grunt, and point 
toward the north.) 

Second Brave {to First Brave). I should like 
to try it. {He takes the compass, but drops 
it in fright.) 

Second Squaw (shuddering). Wonderful! It 
has magic power. 

First Brave (reaching for his tomahawk). The 
man is bewitched. Let us kill him ! He 
will do us harm. 

Second Brave. No, let us take him to Pow- 
hatan, our chief. If we try to kill him, we 
may fall dead ourselves. 



138 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

First Squaw. Let us hurry. I feel queer 
already. (She shrugs her shoulders.) 

First Brave. Powhatan will soon kill him. 

Smith (aside). I shall show no fear either of 
them or of their chief. 
(They bind his hands and lead him away.) 

SCENE IV 
A Wigivam 

CHARACTERS 

John Smith 
Powhatan 
Pocahontas 
Other Indians 

(Indians speak in their own language, ivhich 
Smith does not understand.) 

Powhatan. Who is this paleface that you 

have brought to me ? 
First Brave. I believe he is the chief of the 

white men, and I know he is bewitched. 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 139 

Powhatan. Where did you find him ? 

Second Brave. In the forest. We would have 
killed him then and there, but we were 
afraid. 

First Brave. When you do kill him, let me 
strike the first blow. {He feels the edge of 
his tomahawk.) My tomahawk is just sharp- 
ened, and I should like to try it. 

Powhatan. Be quiet ! Give him a chance 
to speak. He cannot harm you so long as 
I am here to protect you. 

{Smith shows the compass to Powhatan, who 
looks startled. Smith then, by pantomime, 
indicates that he wishes to buy corn, by taking 
a few grains of corn from his pocket, showing 
a bag and then offering some beads to the chief.) 

Powhatan {shaking his head and speaking to 
Indians). We have no corn to sell to pale- 
faces. 

{Smith looks angry and tries to free himself.) 
Powhatan {to Braves). Ha, ha! He cannot 



140 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

get away from us so easily. We will teach 
our enemies a lesson. 

(Smith, by pantomime, indicates that, if his 
friends hear of this, they will shoot the Indians. 
He motions towards the English settlement, 
points a finger at the Indians, and imitates 
the pulling of a trigger.) 

First Brave. The white man is getting excited. 

Powhatan (to Braves). On one condition will 
we allow him to live. He must join our 
tribe, marry a squaw, and show us how to 
attack the fort of the white men. 

(Powhatan points to Smith, then to the tribe ; 
he motions to a squaw to step forward, and 
points to her. He then brandishes a war club 
in the direction of the English settlement. 
Smith shakes his head stubbornly.) 

Powhatan (to Braves). Then he must die. 
Get ready to kill him. 

(Indians exhibit scalping knives, tomahawks, 
and war clubs.) 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 141 

First and Second Braves. We will bind him. 

{They fetch ropes and bind his feet.) 

Powhatan (to First Brave). Place his head 

upon that flat stone. 
First Brave. Everything is ready. 

(They place John Smith's head upon the stone 
and raise the clubs to strike.) 

Powhatan. Now strike to kill. We will not 

waste time torturing him. He is not worth 

the trouble. 
Pocahontas (rushing in and throwing herself 

beside Smith). He is a brave man. Save 

him ! I cannot bear to see him die. 
Powhatan. My child, this is no place for 

you. Go away. 
Pocahontas. If you kill him, you will have 

to kill me. Spare him, I beg you. 
Powhatan. Pocahontas, you have saved his 

life. (Aside). I cannot refuse the child 

anything. 
Pocahontas (standing up). I thank you, 



142 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Father. I knew that you would be 

merciful. 
First Brave (to Powhatan). What will you 

do with him ? It is not safe to set him free. 

(Aside.) I wish Pocahontas would keep 

out of such affairs. 
Powhatan. Untie the cords that bind him. 

He shall make hatchets for me, and bells 

and beads for my daughter. 

(They unbind Smith.) 
Smith (aside). Heaven bless the child! 

How can I thank her for saving my life? 

(He kisses her hand.) 
Powhatan. Come, all of you. Bring the pris- 
oner, little daughter, and we will have a feast. 

(They all go out, Pocahontas leading John Smith 
by the hand.) 





LA SALLE 

SCENE I 
Court of Louis XIV of France 

CHARACTERS 

Louis 
La Salle 
Tonty 
Pages, ladies and gentlemen of the court 

Louis. It is a great satisfaction to us to know 
that you have been successful in your ex- 
plorations in the New World. I under- 
stand that you established a good settle- 
ment at Lachine. 

La Salle. Yes, we cleared away the woods 
and built a stockade and houses. It is 

143 



141 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

a good trading station for furs, but very 
badly exposed to the attacks of the Iroquois 
Indians. 

Louis. Why did you give it such a name? 
I believe that the word "Lachine" means 
China. 

La Salle. The name was a joke, your Majesty. 
I have always been so anxious to find a route 
to China, that even my men called me 
Lachine sometimes. 

Louis. Tell us something of Fort Frontenac. 
I understand that you have that settle- 
ment well established, also. 

La Salle. We have, indeed. We built a 
large stone fort with rows of barracks for 
soldiers, officers' quarters, and a guard- 
house. 

Louis. Is it well fortified ? 

La Salle. We have nine small cannon to 
protect us from attack. 

Louis. I suppose that a good many people 
live near the fort for protection. 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN L45 

La Salle. Yes. Near by is a thriving vil- 
lage of French families. They have cleared 
the land and tilled the soil, and they even 
keep cattle, fowl, and swine. 

Courtier. Tonty is here, your Majesty. 

Louis. Usher him into our presence. (Tonty 
enters.) Welcome to the court, brave 
Tonty. (Tonty bows low.) I wish to intro- 
duce you to Robert Chevalier de la 
Salle of whom you have already heard so 
often. (The two men bow.) 

Tonty. To meet so distinguished a gentle- 
man is an unexpected honor and a great 
pleasure. 

Louis. You two have traveled so much that 
you will have many interests in common. 

Tonty. But our purposes have been different. 
In Sicily I fought for Italy, my native land. 
(To La Salle.) You, I believe, have made 
exploration your aim. 

La Salle. Yes, and I am anxious to explore 
still further. 



146 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Tonty. I myself would enjoy that kind of 
work. 

Louis. I think that together you could ac- 
complish good results. (To Tonty.) Why 
not go with him on his next trip? (To 
La Salle.) What voyage do you wish to 
make next, La Salle? 

La Salle. I should like to explore the lakes 
and rivers to the west, build forts, and 
carry on trade in beaver and buffalo skins. 

Tonty. That would be an interesting ad- 
venture. 

La Salle. It takes strong men to undertake 
such perilous work, but I believe you could 
do it well. 

Louis (laughing). Tonty is all sound but one 
hand, I believe. 

La Salle. I do not understand. He seems 
to have both hands. 

Tonty (holding up a gloved hand). I am glad 
that you did not observe my misfortune. 
I was wounded in Sicily. This hand is 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 147 

made of copper. I always wear a glove 
to cover it. 

La Salle. Indeed, I had not noticed it. Your 
loss would be an advantage among the 
Indians. They would look upon a man with 
a copper hand as a god. 

Louis {laughing) . At any rate, it might serve 
well as a weapon. 

La Salle. I should be glad to have your 
company, Tonty, if you care to go. 

Louis. We will consider that arrangement 
settled, and we shall be glad to assist you 
both as much as lies in our power. 

La Salle. We thank you, for your confidence 
in us. 

Tonty. I thank your Majesty and you, La 
Salle. 

Louis. We will plan the details of the expe- 
dition to-morrow. 

(All go out, led by the King.) 



148 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

SCENE II 
A Landing near St Ignace 

CHARACTERS 

Huron and Ottawa Indians 
La Salle 
A Friar 
Tonty 

(Indians speak their own language. White 
men talk French, except when speaking to 
Indians.) 

Huron Chief (pointing toward the water). 

What is that strange winged object floating 

on the water ? 
Ottawa Chief (looking in same direction). I 

think it is a large boat. 
Huron Chief. Perhaps it brings enemies to 

our shore. 
Ottawa Chief. It carries the white flag of 

France. It cannot be very unfriendly. 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 149 

Huron Chief. See the monster carved on its 

prow, with letters painted at the side. 
Ottawa Chief. I can spell the name. A 

white trader once taught me to read a little 

of the white man's language. 
Huron Chief. What is the name of the boat ? 
Ottawa Chief {spelling). G-R-I-F-F-I-N. 
Huron Chief. What does that mean? 
Ottawa Chief. I do not know. 
Huron Chief (teasingly). I thought you said 

you knew the paleface language. 

(Ottawa chief haughtily turns his back.) 
(Pointing). See, the men are getting ready 

to land. 

.(Both look. Indians enter and point excitedly 
in the direction of the water, while they talk 
confusedly to one another. One of the five 
cannon on board is fired. The Indians yell 
with fear.) 

Ottawa Chief. I hope they do not mean to 
attack us. 



150 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Brave (brandishing tomahawk). If they do, 
we are ready for them. 

(Enter La Salle, Tonty, Father Hennepin with 
a square object strapped to his back, and a 
Friar. Indians huddle in the background.) 

La Salle. Here is the chapel of the Jesuits. 
We are among friends. 

(A Jesuit friar steps forward.) 

Friar. I offer you welcome, men of France. 

La Salle. We thank you, Father. 

(Friar shakes hands with the Frenchmen.) 

Friar. You have come hither in a fine boat. 

Tonty. Yes, but we built it with great diffi- 
culty, and we have had a hard voyage. 

Friar. Did you bring the boat far ? 

Tonty. We built it near Niagara Falls, much 
against the will of the Senecas, who would 
not even sell us corn. If it had not been for 
the Mohegans, we should have starved to 
death. 

Hennepin. Last winter La Salle and his dog 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 151 

went on foot for supplies all the way to 
Fort Frontenac, two hundred and fifty 
miles. . 

La Salle. But during all our hard tramping 
Father Hennepin never left this altar be- 
hind. {La Salle touches the portable altar 
strapped to Father Hennepin's back.) He 
always carried it so that he might make a 
church of the wilderness, if he saw an op- 
portunity to do missionary work among 
the savages. 

Friar. That is the right spirit. Now let us 
all go into the chapel and thank God for 
your safe voyage. 

{Hennepin takes the altar off his back and 
sets it on the ground. All go out except the 
Indians.) 

Ottawa Chief. I do not like this floating fort 

of the pale faces. 
Huron Chief. It could destroy us all, if those 

big guns were fired at us. 



152 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Brave. We will watch these men night and 
day. 

(White men return.) 

Friar. Tell us more of your voyage. It is 
of the greatest interest to us. 

La Salle. Well, we encountered a bad storm 
on Lake Huron; but, as you see, we es- 
caped. 

(Four men stealthily cross the stage.) 

Tonty. Excuse me for interrupting the con- 
versation, but I should like to inquire who 
those four men are that just entered. 

Friar. They are fur traders that came here 
a short time ago. 

Tonty. They are the men that we sent ahead 
of us. Are they trading for themselves ? 

Friar. Yes, and they are succeeding very 
well in their business. 

La Salle. They are deserters from our party. 
They should be arrested, and their plunder 
should be taken from them. 

Friar. That is shocking. I hope you will 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 153 

punish them. We do not wish to harbor 
deserters. 

Tonty (motioning to one of the party). Come 
with me, and we will arrest them at once. 

Friar. There are, I believe, two others at 
the Falls of St. Mary. 

Tonty. Probably they are deserters, too. 
Several of our men have left us. I will go 
to-morrow and arrest them, also. 

(Tonty and his man go out.) 

La Salle. Tonty is a brave and faithful com- 
panion. I do not know what I should do 
without him. 

Friar. He seems to be very reliable. I 
suppose that you have planned further ex- 
plorations. 

La Salle. We hope to establish a chain of 
forts from the Niagara to the Mississippi. 
When these become the centers of French 
settlements, we shall have done valuable 
service to France. 

Friar. That is a gigantic undertaking. I 



154 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

hope that you may succeed. It is now about 
noon. Let us go and have something to eat. 
Then we can discuss this matter further. 
La Salle. We appreciate your kindness and 
hospitality. 

{They all go out, Indians following and grum- 
bling among themselves.) 

SCENE III 

A Landing near the Southern End of Lake 
Michigan 

CHARACTERS 

Five Indians 
La Salle Father Hennepin 

A Friar Other white men 

(All conversation with Indians is in their lan- 
guage.) 

(Hennepin is chopping down a tree.) 

La Salle. That is a fine grapevine growing 
around that tree. 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 155 

Friar. Yes, we shall get some good grapes 

when the tree is felled. 
La Salle. They will go finely with our dinner 

of bear meat and venison. 
Hennepin. Look out, friends, the tree is 

going to fall ! (Tree is supposed to fall. 

They dodge out of the way.) Now you men 

may pick the grapes from the vine. 

(Men pick grapes and put them in a basket.) 

La Salle. I shall be glad when we reach the 

place where Tonty is to meet us. I miss 

him more every day. 
Hennepin (sticking his ax in a block). He 

will teach those deserters a good lesson. 

He always seems to know just what to do 

in an emergency. 
La Salle. I wish the Griffin would come back, 

but I fear we shall never see her again. 
Hennepin. She may have been destroyed 

by the traders whom you sent back with 

her to Niagara. 



156 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

La Salle. Or else she may have been lost in 

a storm. 
Trader {entering). I think that I have found 

the Indian whose footprints we discovered 

last night. 
La Salle. Where? 
Trader. Strange sounds come from behind 

that bank. (Pointing.) 
La Salle (approaching bank). Who is there, 

friend or foe ? 

(Five Indians brandishing war clubs appear from 
behind bank) 

La Salle. Drop your war clubs, red men. 

We are not your enemies. 

(They drop clubs) 
Brave. We thought you were Iroquois, not 

Frenchmen. 
Hennepin. Is that why you hid behind the 

bank ? 

(During this conversation an Indian steals a 
bright-colored coat, hurriedly cuts it into small 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 157 

pieces, and distributes them among the other 
Indians.) 

Brave. Yes, we are never sure who are 

friendly or unfriendly — so many tribes 

are our enemies. 
Friar (touching La Salle's sleeve). See what 

those Indians are doing ! 
La Salle (threateningly). How dare you? 

That coat belongs to my friend Tonty, 

and you will have to pay for it. 
Brave. We shall do nothing of the kind ; and 

if you are anxious to fight, we are ready for 

you. 

(Indians group together, brandish war clubs, 
and mutter threateningly. La Salle and the 
other white men seize their guns.) 

La Salle. It will go hard with you if you try 
to fight with us. 

Brave (in a frightened tone, to the other Indians). 
See, they have fire sticks. They are going 
to shoot us. Let us pay for the coat. 
(Indians seem frightened, and nod assent.) 



158 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Brave. How much do you want us to pay 

you for the coat? 
La Salle. What have you to offer? 
Brave (picking up bundle). These beaver 

skins are all we have. 
La Salle. Well, they will do. We do not 

wish to be unreasonable in our demands. 
(Brave hands skins to La Salle.) 
Brave. I hope you are not angry with us. 
La Salle. Not at all. Come and eat dinner 

with us. 

(They all go out, Hennepin carrying the basket 
of grapes picked by the men.) 



SCENE IV 
Illinois Indian Village on the Illinois River 

CHARACTERS 

Indians, including Monso; Tonty, and white 

men 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 159 

{Indian language is used in speaking with In- 
dians.) 

(Indians are preparing a meal. The white men 
enter suddenly. Indians run about in great 
confusion. Chief tries to calm their fears 
and approaches La Salle with a calumet. La 
Salle shows the calumet which his party 
carries. All assume a friendly attitude and 
smile and nod pleasantly.) 

Chief. Palefaces, you are welcome ; but why 

did you come this way? 
La Salle. We have come to help you against 

your enemies, the Iroquois; and we want 

to build a fort near you for supplies. 
Chief. We are glad to have you with us. 

When you came, we were preparing to eat. 

Sit down and feast with us. 

(Indians put food into the mouths of the white 
men.) 

Chief. At dawn we expect to go hunting. 



160 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Now, since we are through eating, let us go 
to sleep. 

(All wrap up in blankets and lie down. 
Monso enters stealthily and wakes up the 
Indians. They sneak into a corner and hold 
council.) 

Monso. Do not trust La Salle. He is de- 
ceiving you. 

Brave. How ? 

Monso. He is going to persuade other tribes 
to war against you. 

Chief. We are glad to know that. We will 
try to keep the white, men from going any 
farther on their journey. 

(A white man stirs in his sleep. Morning is 
supposed to dawn.) 

Brave. Go, Monso ! We must not let La 
Salle know that you have been here. Let 
us go back to our places and lie down. 

(Monso sneaks out. Indians creep back to 
their places. La Salle and Tonty wake up 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 161 

and withdraw to one side, followed by a 
friendly Indian, who whispers to them. They 
nod thoughtfully and whisper to each other.) 

La Salle (to the Indian, in an audible whisper.) 
I am glad that you told us about Monso 
and that midnight council. What he said 
is not true. 

Indian. I knew that it was not. That is 
why I let you know about it; but do not 
tell the others that I told you. - 

La Salle. No indeed. We will keep your 
secret. 

(Other Indians wake up, and all rise and busy 
themselves getting breakfast.) 

Chief (to La Salle and Tonty). I want to 
warn you against going farther down the 
big river. It is full of monsters and whirl- 
pools, and the tribes are all hostile. 

La Salle. The greater the danger, the more 
glory in making the journey. 

Chief. You will regret it if you go. 

M 



162 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

La Salle. You think we are not your friends. 

That is the trouble. 
Chief. I did not say so. 
La Salle. We know all about what Monso 

told you. Think not that the Frenchmen 

are asleep when they seem to be. 
Tonty. If what Monso said is true, he would 

not have sneaked away in the dark. 
Hennepin. If we had been your enemies, 

we would have killed you when we first 

came and found you frightened. 
La Salle. If you are still suspicious of us, 

speak frankly and let us know. 

(Indians consult together, nod and shake their 
heads reassuringly.) 

Chief. We believe what you say, and are will- 
ing to take your word instead of Monso's. 
Squaw (entering) . Breakfast is ready. 

(They all go out.) 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 163 

SCENE V 

Indian Settlement on the North Bank of the 
Illinois River 

CHARACTERS 

Tonty 

Other white men 

Indians 

(Indian language is used.) 

(All are busy at various kinds of work.) 

Indian Scout (entering). The Iroquois are 
coming. 

(Great excitement ensues. All seize weapons.) 

Chief. How many are there? 
Scout. At least five hundred. 
Chief. They outnumber us. Most of our 

young braves are away hunting. 
Brave. Why should the Iroquois attack us 

at this time ? This man (pointing to Tonty) 

must be their secret friend. 



164 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 
Squaw. Kill him ! Kill the paleface ! 

(Indians angrily surround him. He raises his 
copper hand and makes a quieting gesture.) 

Tonty. Listen, my brothers. We will help 
you to fight the Iroquois. This magic 
hand of mine will bring victory. 

Chief. Listen to the medicine man of the 
palefaces. He will lead us to victory. 

Brave. We do not trust him. 

Chief. We cannot fight the Iroquois alone. 
We can do no better than let the French- 
men help us. 

(Indians grumblingly acquiesce.) 

Scout No. 2 (entering). The Iroquois are 
almost here. 

Tonty. I hear their yells. Be ready, men, 
for the attack. 

(Iroquois rush in and take a stand together. 
Illinois and Frenchmen group themselves 
a short distance away. They shoot arrows 
and guns at one another.) 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 165 

Tonty (to Chief). We can never defeat them. 
They outnumber us. Give me a wampum 
belt as a sign of truce, and I will try to 
persuade them to stop fighting. 

(Chief gives Tonty belt, and he rushes among 
the savages. One, seizes his hair, to scalp him. 
Another stabs him in the breast. He frees 
himself and staggers against a tree.) 

Iroquois Brave. That man belongs to the 
tribe of the Illinois. Burn him at the stake. 

Chief. No, his ears are not pierced. He is a 
Frenchman. 

Tonty (aside). It is fortunate that they do 
not know I am an Italian. 

Chief. Let him alone. Permit him to speak. 

(They all lower their weapons and listen to him.) 

Tonty. Listen, red men, you must not attack 
the Illinois. They are friends of the great 
white chief to the east, and he will punish 
you. 

Chief. But they are no friends of ours. 



166 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Tonty. They are stronger than you, and they 
will kill you all. Take my advice and stop 
fighting. 

Brave. What he says may be true. 

Tonty. You will soon find out that it is only 
too true. 

Chief. Well, we will do as you say, and stop 
fighting for the present. Here is a wampum 
belt as a token of peace. Take it back to 
your friends. 

(Tonty staggers out, holding his hand where he 
was wounded in the chest. The red men, 
talking among themselves, go out in the op- 
posite direction.) 



SCENE VI 




St. Ignace 




CHARACTERS 


La Salle 


Tonty 


Father Membre 


Traders 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 167 

(They speak the French language.) 

(La Salle and Tonty enter arm in arm, followed 
by traders.) 

La Salle (slapping Tonty on the shoulder). 
Tonty, I cannot tell you how glad I am to 
see you. If I had known you were safe, I 
might have sailed down the big river ; but 
I could not persuade myself to go without 
you. 

Tonty. How did you find out that I was alive ? 

La Salle. From the Indians. I hunted for 
you the entire length of the Illinois River. 
Then I stripped some bark from a tree and 
hung up a board on which I had drawn 
pictures of myself and our party, so that 
you might see it and follow us if you passed 
that way. 

Tonty. I was so often delayed by the Indians 
that I could not come to you any sooner. 

La Salle. Let us sit down here and talk of 
our plans. 



168 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

(Both sit down; others group themselves about 
and listen.) 

La Salle. First we must explore the great 
river to its mouth, make settlements along 
its bank, and by this route ship furs to 
France. 

Membre. Any one else would lack courage 
for such an expedition; but La Salle has 
no equal for determination. 

La Salle. Nor Tonty for enthusiasm. (To 
Tonty). You look thin, my friend. 

Tonty. That is no wonder. We had very 
little to eat for over a month. Once we 
lay down by our camp fire to die of starva- 
tion, but the Ottawa Indians saw the smoke 
and brought us food. 

La Salle. Your clothes are all worn out 
(feeling Tonty' s sleeve). By the way, that 
red coat you left with me was stolen by the 
Indians. They admired its color. 

Tonty. We all need some new garments. 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 169 

At one time we had to cut up Father Mem- 
bre's cloak to make moccasins. 

La Salle. Luckily we have clothes for every- 
body, and plenty to eat. 

Tonty. That is good, Now that we are 
all together again do you think that we 
had better start south at once? 

La Salle. As soon as we collect boatloads of 
supplies. I hope that we have already 
experienced the worst part of the trip ; 
but we must be prepared for anything. 

Tonty. Do you still intend to form a con- 
federacy of the western tribes against the 
Iroquois ? 

La Salle. Yes, I have begun that already. It 
is the only way to control the fur trade for 
France. 

Tonty. To do this, we should hold councils 
with all the chiefs. 

La Salle. That is what I am planning. In- 
dians will do anything for tobacco and a 
few other presents. 



170 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Tonty {laughing). Yes, I found that out dur- 
ing my travels. 

La Salle. This has been an eventful day. 
We are all tired and need sleep. To- 
morrow we can resume the accounts of our 
adventures and finish making our plans. 
(Rising). It is now late. Let us go to bed. 

Tonty (yawning). I am more than willing. 

(All go out, yawning.) 

SCENE VII 
Court of Louis XIV 

CHARACTERS 

Louis 
La Salle 
Courtiers 

Louis. We have been very much interested 
in this story of yours, La Salle. You have 
shown great persistency and courage, and 
have accomplished what has never been 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 171 

done before. When did you say that you 
reached the mouth of the Mississippi? 

La Salle. In April. The river divides into 
three streams, by which it empties into 
the Gulf. Tonty sailed through one, some 
of our party through another, and I ex- 
plored the third. We met and claimed for 
France all the territory along the big river 
far eastward and westward. 

Louis. What did you call it? 

La Salle. We called it Louisiana, in honor 
of your Majesty. We set up a post and 
fixed to it a metal plate bearing the arms of 
France, your name, and the date. 

Louis. You have done us honor. What 
further plans have you made? 

La Salle. Tonty and I have both come to 
the conclusion that an easy route to Canada 
may be made through the Gulf and up 
the big river. 

Louis {meditatively). Let us see. Spain owns 
the Gulf. France is at war with Spain. 



172 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

(He hesitates and thinks.) Here is an 
excellent opportunity to drive the Spaniards 
from that part of the New World. How 
many ships do you need? 

La Salle. About three, your Majesty. 

Louis. I will give you four, besides one 
hundred soldiers and all the supplies you 
require. 

La Salle. Then I will set sail as soon as 
everything is in readiness. Tonty is waiting 
for me now at Fort St. Louis. Together, I 
believe that we can succeed in driving out 
all the Spaniards from the mouth of the 
river. 

Louis. I have the utmost confidence in you 
both. Let us withdraw and make further 
plans for the expedition. 

(All go out, following Louis.) 



LEWIS AND CLARK 

SCENE I 
A Room in a House in St. Louis 

CHARACTERS 

Meriwether Levjis Sam (a negro) 

William Clark Two Soldiers 

Rogers Other explorers 

(Lewis and Clark are seated at opposite sides of 
a table. Sam is mending a hole in a coat. 
The others are smoking or sitting idle.) 

Time — May 

Lewis. To-morrow, if all is well, we shall 

continue our journey. 
Clark. I am glad we are going so soon. It 

is time to explore the land between the 

173 




174 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 175 

Mississippi and the Pacific and to put it 
to use. 

Lewis (spreading out a map on the table). If 
we follow the Missouri to its source, I think 
we can find the Columbia, and that flows 
into the Pacific. 

Clark. No one knows where the sources 
of those rivers are. It will be interesting 
to search for them. 

Lewis. I have no doubt that we shall dis- 
cover more than one important fact. I 
wonder how the Indians will like to see a 
new flag waving over them. 

Clark. Probably we shall find out when we 
call at the different settlements and tell 
the Indians that they must obey the Great 
Father at Washington now, instead of the 
French king. 

(Enter Rogers, dragging a box.) 

Lewis. Well, Rogers, what have you there ? 
That box seems heavy. Do you need help ? 

Rogers (smiling). No, thank you. I can 



176 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

manage it. These are presents for the 
Indians. 

Clark. Let us see them before you nail on 
the cover. 

(Rogers takes out beads, knives, mirrors, brightly 
colored coats, and other garments.) 

First Soldier (laughing). Those ought to buy 
the friendship of a good many Indians. 

Rogers. Yes, all there are between the Missis- 
sippi and the Pacific. 

Clark. Such trifles are but a small price to pay. 

Lewis. The long journey will be price enough. 
No doubt, we shall all agree to that before 
we get back. 

Second Soldier. No matter what is ahead of 
us, I shall be glad to get out of this place. 
I have had an interesting time trading 
furs for horses with the Frenchmen. 

First Soldier. The horses are all on the big 
boat. It was almost impossible to get that 
big roan over the gangplank. 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 177 

Lewis (anxiously). I wish those boats were 
not so heavily loaded. We cannot tell 
how many rapids and falls we may find. 

Clark. There is nothing that we can leave 
behind. We must run the risk, and dis- 
card, later, what may be in the way. 

First Soldier. Perhaps we might leave Sam here 
with the Frenchmen. (He points to the negro.) 

Sam. No, sah. Tse gwine to see de start 

of de Mississippi. I ain't gwine leave you 

to fight dem Injuns alone. 

(All laugh.) 

Lewis. Well, I hope there will not be much 
fighting. Remember, men, we are not out 
for war, but for the exploration of a new 
country. With forty -two men in our party, 
however, we ought to be able to explore 
and fight, too, if necessary. t 

Clark. If we expect to start with the sun 
in the morning, we must all turn in for a 
good night's sleep. 

(All rise, say good night, and leave the room.) 



178 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

SCENE II 

Camp Fire in the Woods near the Mouth of 
the Platte River 

CHARACTERS 

Lewis Parker 

Clark Miller 

Rogers Other members of the party 

Lewis (poking the fire). Well, friends, we 
have made some progress, though perhaps 
we have not gone ahead as quickly as we 
had hoped. 

Parker (tracing a map in the firelight). I am 
glad of the delay, for I have succeeded in 
making some very good maps of the places 
we have found. There seems to be no 
end to the wonders of this country. I 
should not be surprised at anything now. 

Miller (picking up a sketch). What is this 
picture ? 

Parker. A sketch I made of a waterfall I 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 179 

found a while ago. It is so high that the 

water falls halfway, breaks into mist, and 

gathers again into a second fall that seems 

to come from a cloud. 
Rogers. I hope we shall not have to tow the 

boat against any more rapids, or drag it 

around any more waterfalls. 
Parker. If I had my choice, I would rather 

fight Indians than meet wild animals. 
Lewis. To-day when I was by myself, I met a 

grizzly bear, a wolverine, and three buffaloes. 
Chirk. Yesterday I drove away two buffaloes 

that were as tame as cows. Then I spied 

a big wood rat, unlike anything I have 

ever seen before. 
Rogers. When I woke up that night I slept 

under the old oak tree, I found a long 

rattlesnake for a neighbor. 
Parker. What did you do with him ? 
Rogers. I killed him, wrote a letter warning 

those who were to come after me, and 

nailed the letter to the tree. 



180 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Miller. Yes, and when we got there, some 

beavers had gnawed the tree down and used 

it for a dam. 
Lewis. They must have been very hungry 

beavers to eat the post-office for breakfast. 

(All laugh.) 
Clark. Well, I am glad we are all together 

again. 
Lewis: Yes, and this seems to be a safe 

place to spend the night. 
Parker (yawning). I am tired enough to 

go to sleep. 
Rogers. So am I. 

(All roll up in their blankets and lie down around 
the fire.) 

Miller. I wish those wild ducks and geese 
would stop their quacking and hissing. 

Lewis (killing mosquitoes). These mosquitoes 
are a dreadful nuisance. I have never 
seen such enormous creatures anywhere 
else. 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 181 

Parker. What is that strange noise? It 

sounds like waves against the sand. 

{All listen.) 
Clark. Oh, that's nothing but a prairie dog 

scratching and prowling round. 
Miller. I heard a rustling over there, unlike 

any sound I have ever heard before. 
Lewis. It is only an antelope. Go to sleep, 

and you will not be disturbed by noises. 
Rogers {rising and looking round). I declare, 

this sand bank is sinking. The water is 

creeping in upon us. That is the cause of 

those queer sounds. 

{All get up.) 
Lewis. The stream must be changing its 

course. That has happened before in this 

region. 
Clark. We must find some other place to 

spend the night. The place where we were 

lying is disappearing rapidly. Even the 

wild geese have left it. 
{They pick up their belongings and depart.) 



182 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Parker (following in the rear). I wonder 
what will happen next. 



SCENE III 

Winter Quarters near Bismarck on the Missouri 

River 

CHARACTERS 

Lewis 

Clark 

Chaboneau 

An Interpreter, and his wife (called Bird Woman) 

Rogers Indian chief 

Parker Two Braves 

Squaw and other Indians 

(Lewis is cleaning a gun, Rogers and Parker 
are mending a boat. Clark is writing. Cha- 
boneau and his wife are taking turns at stirr- 
ing meal in a bowl.) 

Lewis. It is almost a year since we left St. 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 183 

Louis, and we have not reached the Rockies 
yet. 

Parker. Well, I think sixteen hundred miles 
is a long distance to have covered. Cha- 
boneau says that we shall surely find the 
Great Falls in three moons. 

Rogers. That would be about June, wouldn't 
it ? I wonder where we shall be next April. 

Clark {laughing). Anybody who is likely 
to grow impatient should have gone with 
the party that returned. 

Rogers. I am anxious to go ahead as fast as 
possible. I want to see that eagle's nest 
over the Falls. I do not believe those 
Mandan Indians ever saw half the wonder- 
ful things they told us about. 

Lewis (to the Bird Woman). Do you think 
we can reach the eagle's nest and the Falls 
in three moons ? 

Bird Woman. In two moons we should see 
the High Mountains, and in three moons 
we are sure to hear the Big Falls, 



184 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Clark (to the Bird Woman). Do you still 

intend to go with us? Such a journey 

may not be very safe for you and your child. 
Bird Woman (smiling cheerfully). Indeed, I 

am going with you. I want my little son 

to be the youngest explorer known. 
Clark (to the others). She has the necessary 

courage, but I am afraid the peril is too great. 
Chaboneau. I have told her so, but nothing 

will change her decision. 
Bird Woman. I shall try to be a help rather 

than a hindrance. I fear no danger with 

so many strong men. 
Lewis. That is a real compliment. 
Clark. I hope we shall prove worthy of her 

good opinion. 

(Enter Indians.) 
Lewis (in Indian language). Good day, 

friends, I wonder whether you will sell us 

some food to-day. 
Chief (shaking his head). We have none to 

sell. We need it all ourselves. 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 185 

Lewis. But we have presents for you. 

Come let us show them to you. 

(Indians crotvd around.) 
Chief. Maybe we can let you have some 

venison if you pay us enough. 
Clark (offering a present) . Will you take this 

in exchange for some beans? 
First Brave. Yes, I will get some now. Do 

not give that present to anybody else 

while I am gone. (He goes out.) 
Rogers (offering another gift). I will give 

this for some buffalo meat. 
Squaw. I will look for some. Just wait a 

moment. (She goes out.) 
Parker. I should like a piece of suet to make 

a pudding. 
Second Brave. I have very little, but you 

may have it all, if you will give me this. 
(He picks up a string of beads.) 
Lewis. All right. Go and get it. 

(Brave goes out.) 
Clark. What a fine Fourth of July dinner 

we shall have ! 



186 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Lewis. We shall have venison, beans, and 

buffalo meat. 
Parker (laughing). Don't forget the suet 

pudding I intend to make. 
Lewis. That will be a real feast, after living 

on stale meat, fish, and roots for so long. 

Maybe the Bird Woman will rob some mice 

nests for us, and get their winter store of 

Jerusalem artichokes. 
Parker. The last she found were delicious. 

I am glad she came along. She not only 

helps to provide us with food, but she is an 

interpreter even better than her husband. 

(Indians return with food.) 

Clark (to the Indians). The Great Father in 

Washington will always be kind to his 

children, as long as they are so generous. 
Chief. We are all pleased with our bargains. 

Now would you like to see some of our 

braves dance, before you go? 
Lewis and Clark. Yes, indeed. 

(Braves dance. White men applaud.) 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 187 

Clark. That was very well done ; but we must 
hasten on, my men. We have yet a long 
way to travel, and the day is far advanced. 

Lewis. Good-by, red men. 

Chief. Good-by, palefaces. Come again and 
bring us some more presents. 

(Indians go out, followed by white men.) 

SCENE IV 
Near the Missouri River, in what is now Montana 



CHARACTERS 


Lewis 


Rogers 


Clark 


Chaboneau 


Parker 


Bird Woman 


Miller 


Other Indians 



(All are sitting down under a tree ) 

Time — August 

Parker. If we do not get food soon, we shall 
starve. We have eaten our last piece of pork. 



188 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Rogers. We have a little flour and some 
parched meal left. 

Miller. That will make a very poor meal. 

Lewis. Look ! There are some people in 
the distance. 

(All jump up.) 

Parker. Where? I do not see anybody. 

Lewis (pointing). At the foot of that hill. 

(They all look.) 

Chaboneau. I see them. There are some 
men and several squaws. 

Lewis. Let us be ready to meet them. 
(Picking up a blanket.) We will throw this 
blanket above our heads and spread it on 
the ground as a sign of friendship. Let us 
leave our guns standing against this tree 
so that they will know we do not mean to 
harm them. When they get here, we will 
give them these beads and looking-glasses. 

(He takes presents from a bag. They lay 
down guns, wave and spread out the blanket, 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 189 

and start to meet the Indians, who are enter- 
ing in fear and bowing their heads to be 
struck. Lewis and his men smile and shake 
the Indians' hands, give them presents, and by 
pantomime show that they are friendly. Then 
the Indians embrace the white men and daub 
vermilion on the cheeks of their newly-found 
friends.) 

Indians {in chorus). Ah, hie! Ah, hie! 

Rogers. What does that mean ? 

Chaboneau. Probably it means that they 
are much pleased. 

(Indians begin to take off moccasins.) 

Miller. Must we do that too? 

Chaboneau. Yes. It means they will go bare- 
foot among rocks and thorns if they ever 
break friendship with us. 

(Indian Chief passes round pipe of peace. 
They all smoke. White men remove moc- 
casins.) 

Chaboneau (in Indian language). We should 



190 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

like some food. We have eaten nothing 
since last night. 
Chief (to Squaw). Bring that cake made of 
chokecherries. 

(She brings it, and the Chief gives it to Lewis.) 

Chief. This is all we have. 

Chaboneau. We are glad to get it. (He 

passes around the cake, and the men eat it.) 
Chief. Where are you going ? 
Chaboneau. To meet some traders with a 

white chief who cannot be far distant. 

If you are not afraid, we should like to have 

you come with us. 
Chief. No one shall ever say that we are 

afraid (the braves nod assent.), but I suspect 

that you may be deceiving us. 
Chaboneau (in English, to the white men). 

They are suspicious of us. 
Lewis. Tell them we will remain here with 

them, and send one man ahead to find the 

other party. 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 191 
(The interpreter is supposed to tell the Chief.) 

Chief. That will satisfy us, if you will let 

us hold your guns. 
Chaboneau (to white men). He wants our 

guns. 
Lewis. Very well. Tell him to take them. 

We have the powder and shot. 
Chaboneau (to Chief). The white chief says 

you. may hold them. 

(Indians crowd around, pick up guns, and 
examine them.) 

(Enter Clark and other traders.) 

Lewis. Here they are now. (He advances 
to Clark and shakes hands ivith him.) We 
have been looking for you for a long time. 
It is certainly good to see you again. 

Clark. We have had a hard trip with our 
heavily-loaded boats up the rapid stream; 
but, thank Heaven, we are all together 
once more. 

(All shake hands.) 



192 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Lewis {pointing to the Indians). These red 
men that we have just met do not trust us. 
We must gain their confidence. 

Clark. Then let us have a council with them, 
and see whether we can get them to give 
us some of their horses to use for the rest 
of the journey. 

Lewis. That is a wise idea. {To the inter- 
preter.) Chaboneau, you tell them. 

Chaboneau {speaking Indian dialect). Come, 
friends, let us smoke the pipe of peace with 
the white men who have just come, and 
talk over our affairs. 

{All form a circle, and smoke.) 

Clark. I will give them these presents. 

{He pins medals on some, and gives knives, 
beads, looking-glasses, etc., to others. All 
seem delighted.) 

Chaboneau. We will give you more presents 

in exchange for some horses. 
Chief. What will you give us ? 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 193 



Chaboneau. This coat, these leggings, hand- 
kerchiefs, and knives. (He holds up the 
articles mentioned.) 

Chief. We will give you some good horses 
for those. 

Chaboneau. Then the bargain is closed. 

Clark. Tell them to come over yonder and 
have something to eat. We brought along 
part of a deer, an antelope, and some Indian 
corn. 

Lewis. That is welcome news, for we are 
all hungry. 

Chaboneau. Come, friends, the white chief 
invites you to a feast. 

(Everybody rises and follows Clark. All go out.) 





194 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

SCENE V 
Banks of Columbia River 

CHARACTERS 

Lewis Parker 

Clark Miller 

Rogers Bird Woman 

Other Indians 

(White men are sitting before a camp fire. 
Indians enter in single file, humming and 
beating rude drums. They form a semicircle 
in front of the white men, smile, and nod their 
heads.) 

Lewis. What are those savages going to do ? 
Bird Woman. Cook us a meal to show their 
friendship. 

(The Indians heat stones in the fire, drop them 
into pails of water, and put fish in to boil.) 

Rogers. They are boiling salmon. 
Chaboneau. They have plenty of that kind 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 195 

of fish now. They have been drying a 

supply for winter. 
Miller. What are those rush mats for? 
Bird Woman. Those are dishes to hold the 

food. 
Parker. They have brought some filberts 

and berries, too, for us to eat. 
Clark. Thank them, Chaboneau. None of 

us know their language. 
Chaboneau. Neither do I. My wife will 

have to talk for us. She came from this 

part of the country. 
Lewis. You speak to them, Bird Woman. 
Bird Woman (in Indian language). The 

white men are pleased with your kindness. 
Chief. We are glad to do all that we can for 

strangers. 

{Indians grunt, smile, and nod in a friendly 
manner. All eat the feast together and smoke 
the calumet. Then the white men distribute 
presents among the Indians.) 



196 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Lewis (to the white men). Now that we have 
followed the river for such a long distance, 
we cannot be far from the ocean. 

Clark. If we continue our voyage, we are 
sure to find the Pacific. Let us go forward. 

Parker. How can we go any farther? Our 
blankets are soaking wet from the rains, and 
we have nothing to eat but dried fish. 

Rogers. Yes, and we are all tired. I have 
rowed until I am stiff. 

Bird Woman. Why should we stop because 
of mere discomfort ? It will be only a sh ort 
time before we reach the end of our journey. 

Lewis. Well said, brave woman. You always 
give us new courage. 

Clark. Come, men. I think we can stand 
the hardship if she can. It would be 
cowardly to stop now. 

Rogers (to Bird Woman) . You are the stoutest- 
hearted explorer in the party. 

Bird Woman. Oh, no, I am not brave. I am 
only anxious to find the end of our journey. 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 197 

Lewis. Let us all show our enthusiasm by 

continuing on our way. 
(All go out, after bidding the Indians a friendly 

good-by.) 

SCENE VI 
St. Louis — A Room in a House 

CHARACTERS 

Lewis 

Clark 

Governor of the state 

Other Citizens and explorers 

Lewis. It is good to be home again after our 
long journey, and an absence of over two 
years. 

Governor. You can never be fully repaid for 
all that you have done for the United 
States in exploring so thoroughly the far 
West. 

First Citizen. We are delighted to welcome 



198 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

you back. Every day we have anxiously 
watched for your return. 

Second Citizen. More than once we feared 
you were lost; but every one has prayed 
for your safety. 

Third Citizen (to interpreter's wife). We are 
glad that you brought the youngest ex- 
plorer home safe and sound. Apparently 
the trip has done the child no harm. 

Fourth Citizen. How can we reward this gal- 
lant company? They have done what no 
money can repay. 

Governor. President Jefferson is anxious to 
see you at Washington to express his grati- 
tude in the name of the nation. 

Clark. We have found the way to the Pacific 
Ocean, and opened up that rich country. 
What we have accomplished is a sufficient 
reward for our labors. 

(All go out.) 



BENJAMIN FRANKLIN 

SCENE I 

Boston — a Small Room behind the Soap and 
Candle Shop of Benjamin Franklin's Father 

CHARACTERS 

Benjamin Franklin 

James, his brother 

Their Father and their Mother 

(Benjamin, with his coat off, is reading a news- 
paper on a table covered with candle molds 
and wicks.) 

Father {entering). Benjamin, what in the 

world are you doing ? 
Benjamin (putting the newspaper aside). I 

was just reading brother James's newspaper. 

199 




200 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 201 

Father. Every time you find anything to 

read, you neglect your work. Have any 

customers been in here while I was out ? 
Benjamin. Yes, I sold a dozen candles to 

an old man. 
Father. If you do not attend to business better, 

we snail soon have no more candles to sell. 
Benjamin. I have finished cutting all these 

wicks. {He picks up some wicks.) 
Father (laughing). A candle needs something 

besides a wick. (He picks up dish of tallow.) 

This tallow will have to be melted again 

before you can pour it into these molds. 

(He points to the molds.) 
Benjamin (sighing). I hate candle-making. 
Father. I have heard you say that before. 

I hope you are not lazy, my boy. 
Benjamin. No, I am not lazy. I should 

like to go to sea. 
Father. Put that notion out of your head at 

once. The life of a sailor is both hard and 

dangerous. 



v 






205 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Benjamin. I know that, but I am tired of 
J^e stupid work here. # 

Fattier. What is good enough for your father 
should be good enough for you. I do not 
want to hear any more grumbling. Get 
to work and try to be industrious. 

: (Benjamf/n obeys, after casting a few regretful 
glances at the newspaper.) 

Mother (entering) followed by about a dozen 
children). You children go out and play. 
It has stopped raining now, and you ought 
to be out of doors. 

(The children go out.) 

Father. Benjamin has been spending his 

time reading as usual, instead of working. 

He ought to have had all these candles 

done long ago, so that he could help you 

make the soap. 
Mother. I can get along very well without 

him. The soap only needs stirring. (She 

stirs the soap in a kettle.) 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 203 

Father. The boy has helped very little lately. 

Mother. Perhaps he is not well. 

Father. Oh, yes, he is all right ; but he wants 

a new job. (To Benjamin.) How would 

you like to work for James in the newspaper 

business ? 
Benjamin. It would be very interesting to 

be a printer. 
James (entering). Good morning. 
Father. Good morning, James, we were just 

talking about you. 
James. I hope you were saying something 

good. 
Father. I was wondering if you could do any- 
thing for Benjamin. He wants a change of 

employment. 
James (sitting down). What does he want to 

do? 
Father. I do not believe he knows himself. 
James. Then he had better stay where he is. 
Father. I thought perhaps you could give 

him something to do in the printing office. 



204 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

James. I could, if he would work; but if 
he spends all his time reading he would not 
be of much use. 

Benjamin. I would rather do anything than 
fill candle molds. 

James. That is easy compared with printing. 

Benjamin. I know it. Everybody seems to 
think that I am lazy ; but I am not look- 
ing for easy work. All I want is something 
interesting. 

Father. What wages could you give the lad, 
James ? 

James. The most I ever give to an apprentice 
is his room and board. 

Benjamin. Give me two dollars without my 
board. I will board myself and save enough 
money to buy books to read. 

Father. How could you do that ? 

Benjamin. Boiled potatoes and other vege- 
tables suit me. I can get along with- 
out meat. I care more for learning than 
for eating. 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 205 

Mother. You must not starve yourself. Peo- 
ple who work must eat. 

Benjamin (laughing). No danger of my starv- 
ing. My appetite is too good. 

Father. I cannot understand where Benjamin 
gets his queer ideas. He is different from 
all the other members of the family on both 
sides. 

James. I will take the strange notions out of 
him, soon enough, if he neglects his work. 

Mother. Do not be hard on him. He is a 
good boy. 

Benjamin. When do you want me to begin ? 
I am anxious to get rid of my present task. 

James. You may come over to the printing 
office now. 

Benjamin. All right. Wait until I get my 
coat. (He takes his coat down from a 
nail.) 

Father. Be industrious, Benjamin; and run 
over every evening to let us know how you 
are getting along. 



206 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Benjamin. Very well, father. Good-by, 
mother. 

(The two brothers go out.) 

Father (continuing the work Benjamin left). 
I do not see why Benjamin does not like 
to do this. I find it very interesting to make 
the candles look just right. (A bell rings.) 
There goes the bell on the shop door. I 
must attend to that customer. (He goes 
out.) 

Mother. I hear the baby crying. I can leave 
that soap. It is stirred enough now. (She 
goes out.) 

SCENE II 

Philadelphia — a Street 

CHARACTERS 
Franklin An Old Woman 

Deborah Reed and her Mother A small child 

Time — Sunday Morning 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 207 

(Benjamin is walking along, eating a roll, with 
another under each arm, and his pockets stuffed 
out with his belongings. He is ragged and 
spattered with mud. An old woman with a 
child, walking in front of him. tumbles down. 
Deborah Reed, a young girl, ruslies from a 
neighboring doorway to help her up. Frank- 
lin reaches the old. woman first and helps her 
to rise. The rolls fall on the pavement.) 

Old Woman. Thank you, my boy. 
Franklin. I hope you are not hurt. 
[Deborah picks up the rolls and brushes the dust 

off them.) 
Old Woman. No, I think not. I must have 

stubbed my toe. 
Deborah. Have you walked far? You look 

tired. 
Old Woman. Yes, I am very tired. My 

grandson and I have had nothing to eat 

since yesterday. 
Franklin taking the rolls from Deborah). Let 



208 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

me share my breakfast with you and the 

boy. 
Old Woman. I hope I am not robbing you. 
Franklin. No, I have had more than enough. 

Take these. (He hands a roll to the old 

woman and one to the child.) 
Old Woman (taking the roll). You are very 

kind. All I can give you in return is an 

old woman's blessing 
Franklin. One could not ask for anything 

better. 

(Old Woman and child go out, eating their rolls.) 

Deborah (to Franklin). If you are hungry, 

my mother will give you something to eat. 
Franklin. Oh, no. I could not eat any more. 
Deborah. Your clothes are torn, and you are , 

spattered with mud. Have you come far ? 
Franklin. All the way from Boston. I tried 

to get work in New York, but decided I 

might have better luck here. 
Deborah. You have walked a long distance. 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 209 

Franklin. I went to New York in a sailing 

vessel, but I have tramped fifty miles of the 

way from there. 
Deborah. Why did you leave home ? 
Franklin. I was working for my brother, and 

we did not get along very well together. 
Deborah. Sit down here on our steps and tell 

me about it. 

(They sit down.) 
Franklin. Well, he was cross, and I was saucy. 

(They both laugh.) 
Deborah. That was rather bad. What do 

you want to do now? 
Franklin. I am a printer, and I am looking 

for work. 
Deborah (pointing to his pockets). Did you 

carry all your belongings in your pockets? 
Franklin. Yes, I ran away; that is why I 

did not dare to borrow a bag. 
Deborah. Can you do anything but printing ? 
Franklin. Yes, I can write verses and stories. 

I used to slip them under the door of my 



210 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

brother's office, and he put them in his 
newspaper, thinking some one else wrote 
them. 

Deborah. That was a good joke. Did you 
bring any of them with you ? 

Franklin. Yes, here is one you may have if 
you want it. (He takes a newspaper from 
his pocket, unfolds it, and shows Deborah the 
story that he wrote. She folds the paper up 
again.) 

Deborah. Thank you, I will read it to-morrow. 
My mother does not like to have me read 
newspapers on Sunday. 

Mother (appearing). To whom are you talk- 
ing, Deborah? 

Deborah. I did not ask his name. He helped 
a poor old woman who fell down in front 
of the house, and gave her most of his 
breakfast. 

Mother. What is your name, my boy ? 

Benjamin. Benjamin Franklin. I am a 
printer by trade and am looking for work. 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 211 

Mother. Have you been to see Bradford or 
Keimer ? They might give you something 
to do. 

Franklin. No, I am going to hunt them up 
to-morrow. 

Mother. Would you like something to eat ? 

Franklin. No, thank you. 

Mother. I hope you will find employment. 
If you do not succeed, I can give you some 
weeding to do in the garden next week. 
Deborah, come in and get ready for Sunday 
school. 

Deborah. Good-by, Benjamin. 

Franklin. Good-by Miss. (Deborah and her 
mother go into the house.) I wonder what 
her name is. I will try to find out; but 
now I must find some place where I can 
sleep to-night. To-morrow I can look for 
work. 



212 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

SCENE III 
A Field 

CHARACTERS 

Franklin 

A Farmer and his Boy 

(A thunder storm is raging. Franklin is flying 
a kite. A Leyden jar stands at his feet.) 

Farmer (entering with Boy). Why are you 
standing out here? Very soon you will 
get soaked to the skin; and, besides, you 
may be struck by lightning. 

Boy. See, father, he is flying a kite, but it 
is not a bit like mine. 

Franklin (to Farmer). I suppose it does look 
foolish to stand out here flying a kite in a 
thunder storm; but if you are not in too 
much of a hurry I will show you what I 
am doing. 

Farmer. Well, I should really like to know. 









HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 213 

Franklin. I am trying to find out what the 

lightning will do. 
Farmer. If you will come down back of my 

house, I will show you what it can do. Our 

big elm tree was struck last spring, and now 

it is as black and dead as a piece of burnt 

wood. 
Franklin. I am trying to catch the lightning 

so that it will run in one direction instead 

of striking things at random. 
Farmer. * How can you do that ? 
Franklin. If I can find out how to attract it 

I can attach a rod to a house; and if the 

lightning comes that way, it will get caught 

in the rod. 
Farmer. Well, that beats anything I have 

ever heard of. 
Boy (seizing his father's arm). Oh, father, 

that was an awful flash. I am afraid. 
Farmer. Don't be afraid. See what a queer 

kite the man has. 
Franklin. The kite, as you see, is made of a 



214 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

silk handkerchief, with a metal point fas- 
tened to the top. Attached to the kite is a 
hemp string. At the other end is a key. 
Tied to the key is a silk ribbon to hold the 
kite by. 

Farmer. Why do you use a metal point ? 

Franklin. To attract the lightning. Then 
it runs along the hemp string to the key. 

Farmer. Why doesn't it strike you when it 
gets to the key? 

Franklin. Because the silk ribbon in my 
hand will not carry the current. 

Boy. Let me fly the kite. 

(Franklin gives it to the Boy. A gust of wind 
raises it. A flash strikes fire on the key. 
The Boy drops the kite. Franklin catches it.) 

Boy. That kite acts strangely. I am afraid 

of it. 
Farmer. Do not let him have it again. He 

might get struck. 
Franklin. There is no danger so long as he 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 215 

does not touch the key where the lightning 
comes. 

Farmer. What are you doing with that jar ? 
(He points to jar.) 

Franklin (picking up jar). I have filled it 
with sparks. Now I know that lightning 
and electricity are the same thing. They 
can both be caught in the same way. 

Boy (stretching out his hand). Father, it is 
raining like everything. 

Farmer, Well, I think we had better be going 
home. That is a wonderful thing, but you 
will be drenched if you stay here much 
longer. 

Franklin. I will walk as far as the road with 
you. I have found out all I want to know 
at present. My next experiment will be 
with the lightning rod. If a small metal 
point catches some electricity, a long rod 
will do better. 



216 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

SCENE IV 

Versailles. Audience Chamber of Louis XVI, 
King of France 

CHARACTERS 

Franklin 

The King and Queen of France 

King (pointing to a seat). Be seated, Dr. 
Franklin. A man of your years and honor- 
able deeds shall not stand in our presence. 

Franklin. If I might gain your Majesty's 
favor for my native land, I would willingly 
stand all day. 

Queen. That is unnecessary. We are glad to 
listen to you. Your fame as an inventor, 
author, and statesman has o preceded you. 

Franklin (sitting down). As you know, we 
seek freedom from the unjust taxation of 
the Mother Country. With this in view, 
we wrote the Declaration of Independence. 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 217 

We are now framing a Constitution by 
which the United States shall be governed. 

King. Your Declaration is worthy of the 
respect of all the nations of the world. 

Queen. I understand that Dr. Franklin 
helped to make it. 

King. That is only one of his valuable serv- 
ices. 

Franklin. Your Majesty flatters me. My 
only regret is that I am too old to serve my 
country by fighting side by side with its 
brave soldiers. 

King. The American colonies ought to be 
free from the oppression of England. 

Franklin. We lack money to pay our sol- 
diers. A loan for this purpose is one of 
the requests that I have come to lay before 
your Majesty. 

King. We may need all our means to carry 
on wars of our own; but we will consider 
your request seriously and do our best for 
you. 



218 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Franklin. Any help will be appreciated. 

King. If we should send soldiers to fight in 
your war, we ourselves might get into 
difficulties with England. 

Franklin. Burgoyne's surrender shows that 
our success is probable. 

King. That seems reasonable. The sur- 
render of which you speak is very signifi- 
cant. 

Franklin. An alliance between France and 
America would be an advantage to both 
countries. 

King. We are favorably impressed with the 
idea, but must consider anything so impor- 
tant very carefully. 

Queen. How many war vessels do you need ? 

Franklin. About sixteen, your Majesty. 

King. If France takes part in the affairs of 
the colonies, it may mean war with Eng- 
land. 

Franklin. True; but the ruling family of 
Spain is so closely related to that of France 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 219 

that it would join hands with your Majesty. 
Indeed, Holland also might join the alliance 
for purposes of trade. 

King. You are well versed in the affairs of 
nations. 

Franklin. It is necessary that an ambassa- 
dor study such subjects carefully. 

Queen. How many of our men would you 
need to bring the war to a close ? 

Franklin. Three or four thousand. 

King. That is a good many. We will, how- 
ever, give the matter our immediate at- 
tention, and if possible we will make the 
alliance and grant you the loan. 

Franklin. I thank your Majesty. I will re- 
turn for a decision before I sail back to 
America. 

King. You will not be kept waiting long. 

(Franklin bows and passes out betiveen the lines 
of courtiers.) 

King (to the Queen). Let us withdraw until 



220 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

the morrow, when we will consider the af- 
fairs of the brave American colonies. 

(All go out, King and Queen followed by cour- 
tiers.) 





JAMES WOLFE 

SCENE I 

Cabin of a British Ship on the^SL -Lawrence 

River 

CHARACTERS 

Wolfe and his Aide-de-camp 
Two French Pilots 
A British Officer 

(Wolfe is drawing plans at a table. The Aide- 
de-camp enters and salutes. Wolfe looks up.) 

Aide-de-camp. The soldiers have captured 
two French pilots, and are treating them 
very roughly. The prisoners are badly 
frightened. What do you wish done? 

Wolfe. No better luck could have befallen 

221 



222 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

us. Bring them in. I will speak with 
them. 

(Aide salutes and goes out.) 

Officer (entering with two prisoners). We have 
taken these men, but we do not wish to 
hang them without your orders. 

Wolfe (to the pilots). What have you to say 
for yourselves? Why are you prowling 
about here? 

First Pilot. We meant no harm. If you will 
rescue us from these uncivil soldiers, and 
spare our lives, we are at your bidding. 

Second Pilot. Do not kill us, good general. 
We were only trying to catch fish in the 
river. 

Wolfe. I will spare your lives on one condi- 
tion. If you do not accept our terms, I 
will not answer for the consequences. 

First Pilot. We will do whatever you com- 
mand. 

Second Pilot. Yes, anything. 

Wolfe. Can you steer our ships up the river, 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 223 

near the city? That is the only service 

we shall ask of you. Accomplish this, and 

you are free. 
First Pilot. Yes, I know every inch of the 

river. That is not at all difficult to do. 
Wolfe. Your people have blocked the river 

with logs. Some of them are under water, 

and the trip is perilous. 
Second Pilot. We know the location of every 

log, for we helped to place them in the river. 
Wolfe. Very well. You shall pilot us to- 
night. If one vessel runs aground, you will 

both be hanged. Do you understand? 
First Pilot. We will do as you say, and we 

will stake our lives on our success. 
Second Pilot. Indeed, we will ; and we thank 

you for your kindness to us. 
Wolfe. If you steer us safely, you shall go 

free. You may rely on that. 
First Pilot (to Second Pilot). To-morrow we 

shall be free to return home to our anxious 

wives and children. 



224 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Wolfe. Yes, just as soon as we need you no 
longer, we will give you permission to go 
back. 

Second Pilot. You may depend on us. 

(Soldier takes the prisoners out. General Wolfe 
follows.) 

SCENE II 
Montcalm's Headquarters in the City of Quebec 

CHARACTERS 

Montcalm 

The French Governor of Quebec 

(Montcalm is writing at a table. The Governor 

enters.) 

Montcalm. Good evening, Governor. It has 
been a warm day for this part of the world. 

Governor. Yes, but there is a delightful 
breeze stirring on the river now. 

Montcalm. What new things have the Eng- 
lish been doing to-day? 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 225 

Governor. Only prowling around as usual. 
Their movements are always mysterious. 

Montcalm. Their provisions cannot last much 
longer. (He folds the letter he has been writ- 
ing and seals it in the envelope.) No sup- 
plies are coming in ; they cannot live on air. 

Governor. It is only September. They will 
not begin to suffer until the cold weather. 
Now they are living on fish, fruit, and 
game; but when frost comes their ships 
will be fastened tightly in the ice. Then 
they will not fare so well. 

Montcalm. I believe they will go home soon. 
They must be very tired of waiting, with 
no success ahead of them. 

Governor. It may be possible that they will 
attack the citadel before long. No doubt 
that is what they are planning to do. 

Montcalm. I scarcely believe so. They can- 
not land there. The cliffs are too steep; 
and our guards are always on the lookout 
for scouts. 



226 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Governor. Perhaps they will try to enter at 
some other point. They doubtless know 
every inch of the river for a long distance 
on every m side. 

Montcalm. There is no spot unfortified within 
seven or eight miles on each side of the city. 
They would be seen marching back and 
would be intercepted if they should land 
so far away. 

Governor. I think we ought to begin action 
and destroy the British fleet at once. That 
is the best way to end the uncertainty. 

Montcalm (pacing up and down the floor). 
Our last attempt was a useless waste of 
powder and shot. It had no more effect 
than so many firecrackers. Even the fire 
ships that we sent to destroy the fleet were 
intercepted and sent down the river. 

Governor. But something must be done. If 
they should take Quebec, Canada would 
belong to the British forever. It is a serious 
matter. 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 227 

Montcalm (sitting on the corner of a table). 
Be patient ! I think they will sail back to 
England soon. If not, there will be time 
enough to plan another attack. 

Governor (raising his finger) . Listen ! 

Montcalm. What is the matter, man? Are 
you nervous ? I hear nothing but the steps 
of the sentry. 

Governor. I hear shots and confused noises. 
Something is wrong. 

(As they listen, a French soldier enters, stands 
at attention, and salutes.) 

Soldier (showing suppressed excitement). The 
British are attacking the citadel, sir. 

Montcalm (hurriedly putting on his sword). 
Where are they? 

Soldier. They seem to be coming from every 
direction. One detachment has passed the 
guards and climbed the steep banks be- 
yond the city to the plains of Abraham. 

Montcalm. Then they have found the weak 



228 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

side of that wretched garrison, but we must 
fight and crush them. If I had been in the 
citadel, I might have prevented this attack. 
Let us hasten. There is no time to waste. 

SCENE III 
The Citadel — a Room in the Fort 

CHARACTERS 

Four British Officers 
Colonel Captain 

Major Lieutenant 

Colonel. How did you manage to pass the 

French guards last night? 
Lieutenant. It was very dark. We spoke 
to them in the French language, and they 
thought we were Frenchmen. We learned 
the countersign from a French deserter. 
"Halt! Who goes there?" shouted a 
French sentinel. 
"France," I replied. 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 229 

Captain. A little farther on another sentinel 
asked the same question. I replied : "Pro- 
vision boats. Hush ! The English may 
hear you/' He was completely deceived. 

Major. At the foot of the precipice, led by 
the Highlanders, we started to climb the 
bank. Then you followed us while the rest 
pretended to attack the intrenchments be- 
low the city. 

Captain. It is a glorious victory; but I 
cannot forget the price that we have paid 
for it. General Wolfe, our brave com- 
mander, is dead. 

Colonel. What did he say to you before he 
died? 

Captain. He was wounded in both the wrist 
and the side. Another shot struck him 
in the breast. 

"Support me. Let not my brave fellows 
see me fall," he cried. 

Then he sank to the ground. 
"See, they run!" I shouted. 



230 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

"Who run?" he asked. 

"The French/' I answered. 

"Thank God! I die happy/' were his 
last words. 
Captain. Ah, he was a brave man. Where 
shall we ever find another commander to 
equal him? 
Lieutenant. Montcalm, the French general, 
is mortally wounded, too. He, also, is a 
valiant soldier. 

(A soldier enters, stands at attention, and salutes.) 

Soldier. Montcalm is dead. 

(They all stand silent for a moment. 
Lieutenant. Now the French will lose their 

courage, and we will vanquish them. 
Colonel. Montcalm was a gallant general. 

No one can fill his place. 
Soldier. He said that he would rather die 

than see the capture of Quebec; but it 

consoled him to be conquered by so great 

and generous an enemy. 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 231 

Colonel None but a noble soul could feel 

that. 
Captain. We have won, but we have paid 

dearly for our victory. War is the curse 

of the world. 
Colonel. Well said ! Let us go now to the 

battle field and care for the wounded. 

(They all go out.) 





232 



WILLIAM PENN 

SCEXE I 
England — a Room in King Charles' s Palace 

CHARACTERS 

King Charles 
Attendants 
William Penn 

{Quaker dialect, though used by the Quakers, is 
omitted because of its faulty English.) 

King Charles [putting on hat and cloak, ready 
to go out). Since there is no special busi- 
ness to claim our attention at present, 
a short walk would be pleasant, 

Attendant (entering). William Penn is here, 
your Majesty. 

233 



234 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Charles. Admit him to our presence. (Aside.) 
Our walk can just as well be postponed for 
a little while. 

(Enter William Penn dressed as a Quaker. He 
keeps his hat on. The King removes his.) 

Penn. Why do you remove your hat, friend 
Charles ? 

Charles. It is the custom here for only one 
head to remain covered. 

Penn. I understand. You mean that I 
should have removed my hat ; but a Quaker 
never uncovers his head to any one. 

Charles. We do not approve of Quaker cus- 
toms that are not courteous. 

Penn (taking off his hat). Then I will remove 
my hat, but only to respect your wishes. 
I scorn the man who humbles himself to 
another. 

Charles. Politeness is not humility. It is 
really proper dignity; but we will not 
discuss the matter, Penn. We are glad to 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 235 

see you. You are growing to look more 
like your father every day. He was a good 
man, although he was not a Quaker (laugh- 
ing good-naturedly). 

Penn. Thanks, friend Charles. I called on 
important business. I am taking the lib- 
erty of asking your help. 

Charles (pouring some cordial from a bottle). 
You look tired. This cordial will refresh 
you. You are always busy with some 
serious affair. 

Penn (drinking). Thank you. I am some- 
what weary. Every day I find some new 
matter to occupy my time and attention. 

Charles. Well, what is the important busi- 
ness to-day ? You Quakers are usually per- 
plexed about something. 

Penn. I should never be troubled again, if 
we possessed some land where we could 
worship God as we see fit. At present we 
have no peace, night or day. We are 
annoyed and persecuted on all sides. 



236 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Charles. Why not go to America? There 
you may do as you please. We have no 
real sympathy with your views, but we 
will do anything for the son of Admiral 
Penn, your father. 

Penn. It costs too much to buy land. We 
have scarcely money enough to live on. 
I wish that you could advise us what to do. 

Charles. The crown owed your father £16,000. 
To pay that debt we will give you 40,000 
acres of land in the New World, to which 
nobody but Quakers will be admitted. 
There you may enjoy both civil and re- 
ligious liberty. That ought to satisfy the 
most exacting of your followers. 

Penn. All we desire is such a tract of land. 

Charles. We shall be glad to grant you this 
piece of property. And to be frank, merry 
England will be just as well off without 
so many Quakers with their gray clothes and 
somber faces. (He smiles good-humor edly.) 

Penn. Yes, I have no doubt everybody will 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 237 

be glad to see us go. We might call this 
new land Sylvania, meaning the woods. 
* What do you think of that for a name ? 

Charles. Why not call it Pennsylvania, 
which means Penn's woods? They will 
belong to you ; and they might as well bear 
your name. 

Perm. Quakers never seek to make their 
names famous. 

Charles. Name it Pennsylvania, then, in 
honor of your father. That would be per- 
fectly proper, and would show filial respect. 

Penn. That is a good idea. I will do so; 
and I will send my relative, William Mark- 
ham, with some other men, to explore the 
forest and make a settlement, as soon as 
you are willing. 

Charles. Any time that you choose will suit us. 

Penn {rising to go). I thank you, friend 
Charles ; you have relieved my mind. You 
are not a Quaker, but you have a good 
heart. 



238 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Charles. Come again, when anything troubles 
you. We cannot bear to see a Quaker's 
face longer than necessary. 

Penn. I will. Good-by, and God bless you ! 

(They shake hands. Penn goes out. King 
Charles yawns and stretches out his feet, then 
gets up and goes out, saying), 

Charles. We are glad to get rid of an old 
debt so easily. We should like Penn very 
much if he were not a Quaker ; but people 
of that religion are too solemn to please 
us. 

SCEHE II 
Outside the Fort at New Castle, on the Delaware 

CHARACTERS 

William Penn 
William Markham 
Other Quakers 
Also resident officers of the Duke of York 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 239 

Penn (to the Quakers). When the king gave 
us our land, I did not consider the fact that 
no arrangements had been made for our 
use of the Delaware River. I am glad that 
we are now to receive final possession of 
the fort of New Castle, which will give us 
control of this waterway. 

Markham. From whom do we receive this 
privilege ? 

Penn. From the Duke of York, who owns it. 

(Enter three resident officers of the Duke of York.) 

First Officer. Good day. We have come, 
as you see, to keep our appointment with 
you. I hope that you have not been 
waiting long. 

Penn. No, we have just come. 

Second Officer. We will proceed with the 
ancient custom of delivering a fort. You 
take this key, lock the door, and then 
unlock it. (He hands Penn a key. Penn 
does as directed.) This is to show that 



240 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

you alone have the right to admit any one 
to the fort. 

First Officer. We now present you with this 
piece of turf with a twig on it to indicate 
that you have control over the land upon 
which the fort is built. 

\Penn takes the turf in his right hand.) 

Third Officer. And here is a dish containing 

river water and soil as a sign that you have 

the right of way on the Delaware River. 

(Penn takes the dish in his left hand.) 

First Officer. Now the arrangements are all 
complete. 

Penn. And thus we take peaceable posses- 
sion of New Castle, which is the key to the 
Delaware. 

{All go out). 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 241 

SCENE III 

Pennsylvania — a Forest on the Present Site 
of Philadelphia 

CHARACTERS 

Penn and his friend Martin 

Roberts 

Richardson 

(Enter Penn, followed by others.) 

Penn. What a beautiful place you have 
chosen ! You could not have selected . a 
more pleasing situation. 

Martin. It is also very fertile. Anything 
we plant springs up immediately. 

Roberts. All about us nuts and wheat and 
grapes are growing in abundance. The 
vegetation is luxuriant in all directions. 

Richardson. There are wild turkeys and 
ducks and geese by the hundreds. No one 
ever need be hungry in this country. 



242 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Martin. And deer and fish enough for 
all of us. It is no trouble to capture them. 

Penn. Are those Indians yonder always 
friendly ? 

Martin. They are not only kindly disposed, 
but they seem anxious to have us settle as 
near them as possible. 

Roberts. We have promised that you will 
make a treaty with them. They are de- 
lighted at the idea of being on good terms 
with the white men. 

Penn. Call them hither. Bring in the chest 
of presents, and we will make a treaty under 
this elm tree, now, while they are so inclined. 

(Richardson brings in the Indians. They form 
a half circle. Roberts carries in the presents. 
An interpreter indicates by pantomime that 
he is communicating the conversation with the 
Indians. Penn speaks. in English. The in- 
terpreter goes through the motions of repeating 
Penn's words in the language of the Indians.) 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 243 

Penn. Red men, we wish to say that we are 
glad to be here among you, and that we will 
never do any wrong to you or to your friends. 
If you are willing to make the same promise, 
we can all live happily together and never 
disagree. 

Chief (speaking in a tone inaudible to the 
audience, the interpreter repeating his words 
in English). We shall be glad to sign such 
an agreement. 

Penn. To show our friendship, we have 
brought presents from our home across the 
sea. 

(Penn passes around scissors, knives, beads, 
combs, bells, guns, cloth, and mirrors among 
the savages. They exhibit their gifts to one 
another and express their appreciation in 
grunts and inarticulate mutterings.) 

Penn. Martin, bring quill and paper. 

(Martin brings writing materials and lays them 
on a small table.) 



244 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Penn. Here under this oak we will sign a 
treaty that will make us friends forever. 

{Penn writes. The Chief comes forward, fol- 
lowed by the braves. They sign, one after 
another. While they are signing, the Quakers 
talk.) 

Martin. See what queer marks they make ! 
Richardson. Let us look. 

(The Quakers peer at the Indians' signatures.) 

Roberts. Each is a picture of some plant or 
animal. 

Penn. That is just as sensible as the letters 
we use to represent names. 

Martin. They have all signed* 

Penn (to interpreter). Now that we have 
agreed to this treaty, we will live together 
in brotherly love, giving one another all 
possible assistance and protection from 
enemies. 

(The interpreter communicates this and other 
speeches to the Chief.) 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 245 

Chief. Now let us smoke the pipe of peace. 
(They all sit down and pass around the pipe 
of peace.) If you like, we will give an 
entertainment in your honor. To celebrate 
this important occasion, my braves will 
show you how high they can leap. 

Penn. Indeed, we should enjoy that very 
much. 

(Braves leap over a pole. The white men 
applaud.) 

Roberts. That is excellent, but I think Friend 
Penn can jump as high as that. He was 
a champion when he was a schoolboy. 

Richardson. I am sure that he can. I have 
seen him do some wonderful leaping. 

Chief. So could I when I was as young as he 
is ; but age brings stiffness. 

Brave (to Penn). Come, it is your turn next. 
We want to see how the white men jump. 

Penn. I will try, if it will please you; but 
I am sure I cannot do as well as you can. 



246 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

(Penn leaps higher than the rest. They all 
applaud.) 

Chief (to the white men). Your chief is a great 
man. My braves must have him teach 
them some of his skill. 

Penn. We hope that you will come to visit 
us often. We will enjoy our sports to- 
gether, and have contests for the young 
men. 

Chief. We shall be glad to do so; but it is 
now time for us to go back to our wigwams. 
Thank you for the presents you have given 
us. We will always be friendly to you, and 
he who breaks the promises in Penn Charter 
shall be punished. 

Penn. We are glad to have such good neigh- 
bors. (To the Quakers.) In honor of this 
occasion, let us name this settlement Phila- 
delphia, which is a good word taken from 
the Bible, meaning brotherly love. 

(All go out, nodding assent, and talking together.) 



DOLLY MADISON 

SCENE I 
A Room in the White House 

CHARACTERS 

President Madison and his wife, Dolly 

Dinah Adams, a colored woman, who is a 

trusted servant 
Dinah's son, George Washington Adams 

{Negroes speak with only a suggestion of dialect.) 

{Dolly is winding yarn off Dinah's hands.) 

Time — 1814 

Dinah. Is Massa goin' away to-day? 
Dolly. Yes. The business of this dreadful 
war calls him away entirely too often. 

247 




248 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 249 

Dinah (pulling at the skein). Dis yarn is 

gettin' tangled. 
Dolly. Only a little. Keep your hands quite 

still, and I will straighten it out. (She 

disentangles it.) There, now it will wind 

easily. 
Dinah. What you goin' to do wid dis yarn, 

Mis' Madison? 
Dolly. Knit a warm muffler for your master. 

He is so busy he never takes care of his 

health unless I watch him. 
Dinah. I have worked for three Presidents ; 

but Massa Madison surely has the bes' 

wife of dem all. 
Dolly (laughing). I am afraid you imagine 

that. 
Dinah. No indeed. Everybody say so. 

Hyah comes Massa himself to prove what 

I say is true. 

(Enter President Madison, hat in hand.) 
Dolly. Must you start so soon? 
President. Yes, the militia is gathering 



250 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

now. I should have gone before; I hope 

to be back to-morrow or next day. 
Dolly. Is Washington in any greater danger 

of attack than it was yesterday ? 
President. We hope to avert the danger. 
Dolly. How many British ships are anchored 

in the Potomac? 
President. The messenger who brought the 

news said about fifty. I wish I were not 

obliged to leave you at this dangerous time. 
Dolly. The safety of the city and the nation 

are at stake. I would go also, if I could be 

of any use. 
President. You are a brave woman and a 

good wife. 
Dinah. Dat's what I tole her, Massa. 
President (to Dinah). Well, Dinah, you were 

right, as usual. (Dinah grins.) (To Dolly.) 

I know that you will not be afraid while I 

am gone. 
Dolly. I fear nothing, so long as you are not 

harmed and our army succeeds. 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 251 

President. If you should be obliged to escape 

before I return, take the Cabinet papers 

with you. 
Dolly. The Declaration of Independence will 

be my especial care. I will guard it with 

my life, if necessary. 
President. I hope there will be no need for that. 

You are as loyal as the men who first signed it. 
Dolly. What else should be removed in case 

of sudden danger? 
President (pointing to a picture). That por- 
trait of George Washington could not 

be replaced. It is the only one of its kind 

in the world. 
Dolly. It shall never fall into the hands of 

the British while it is in my keeping. 
George (entering) . Your horse is ready, Massa. 
President. Very well, George, I will be there 

presently. 
George (aside). I wish he would take me with 

him. I would like to kill a few of those 

British. 



252 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Dinah. What you mutterm' to yo'self , George 

Washington Adams? 
George. I was just sayin' I would like to go 

with Massa. 
President {laughing). I will take you along 

the next time I go. You must stay here 

and take care of your mistress this time. 
George. All right, Massa; jus' as you say. 
President (to Dolly). I must hasten; but I 

will return as soon as I can. Let your chief 

concern be your own safety. 
Dolly (walking toward a window and looking 

out). See, there are some people moving 

their household goods. 
President (looking). Yes, they are no doubt 

going to the country. 
Dolly. So as to be at a safe distance if the 

British make an attack upon the city. 
President. During the last few days a great 

many people have been leaving their homes. 
Dolly. They should stay and fight, not run 

away from danger. 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 253 

President. You would inspire any one to be 
a hero. (To Dinah.) While I am gone, 
take good care of your mistress, Dinah. 

Dinah. 'Deed, I will, sir. 

President. Good-by, Dolly. Before I return 
I hope we shall put an end to this cruel 
war. 

Dolly. I will go to the door with you and 

watch you ride away, so that I may see 

you as long as possible. 

(All go out.) 

SCENE II 
A Room in the White House 

CHARACTERS 

Dolly Three messengers 

Dinah A British officer 

George Several soldiers 

Dolly (looking with a spyglass out of a window) . 
I wish that the President would return. 
I have been looking for him all day; but 



254 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

I can see only clouds of dust, groups of 
soldiers, and frightened women and chil- 
dren hastening in the direction of the bridge 
across the river. 

Dinah (consolingly). He will surely be back 
soon. 

George (entering, excited and out of breath). 
Here, Mrs. Madison, is a letter. The 
soldier who brought it says it is from 
Massa. 

Dolly (taking the letter and hurriedly tearing it 
open, reads aloud). "The enemy are 
stronger than I thought at first. They 
may reach the city and destroy it. Be 
ready to leave at a moment's warning. " 
— We must pack up all the most valuable 
things at once. 

Dinah. 'Deed we must. (To George.) Stop 
your tremblin', George Washington Adams, 
and go to work. 

George (frightened). What shall I do? The 
British may catch us befo' we get away. 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 255 

Dolly. Do not be frightened, George ; we may 
need your help and protection. 

George (recovering himself). I'm not fright- 
ened. I'll fight dem British all by myself. 

Dinah. Dat's de way to talk. 

Dolly. Get as many trunks as my carriage 
will hold, and we will fill them with the most 
valuable things. 

George. The carriage hold no more dan two. 

Dolly. Very well. You get the trunks, and 
Dinah and I will pack up the Declaration 
of Independence and the other important 
papers. {George goes out.) 

Dinah. What is you goin' do wid de silver, 
Mis' Madison? 

Dolly. Send it in a wagon out of the city. 

George (returning and dragging in a trunk while 
she is talking). Dere is jus' one wagon left. 

Dolly. Then we will make use of that ; and 
if it falls into the hands of the enemy, we 
cannot prevent it. 

(A knock is heard.) 



256 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Dinah. Somebody's knockin' at de door. 

George Washington Adams, you go see 

who 'tis. 

(George goes out.) 
Dolly (taking papers out of desk drawers and 

handing them to Dinah). Pack these as 

closely as possible in the bottom of the trunk. 
Dinah (taking papers and doing as directed.) 

We can put all these in here. 
Dolly. Then we can pack clothing in the 

other trunk. 
George (entering excitedly, followed by three 

messengers covered with dust). These mes- 
sengers have brought news. 
First Messenger. Madam, we have come to 

tell you to be ready to leave as quickly as 

possible. The British are coming to burn 

the house over your head. 
Dolly (calmly). I thank you for warning me; 

but I expect to wait here for the President. 
Second Messenger. We beg you to escape 

while there is a chance. 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 257 

Dolly. Mr. Madison said that he would re- 
turn. If he is alive, he will keep his word. 

Third Messenger. He sent us. 

Dolly. I did not understand that at first. 

First Messenger. On our way here we heard 
the British boasting that they would carry 
you and the President to England as pris- 
oners of war. 

Dolly. Are you in earnest? 

Second Messenger. We speak the truth, 
madam. 

Dolly. Then I will heed your warning and go, 
though it is against my will. (To Dinah.) 
Have you packed those papers? 

Dinah. Yes, ma'am, the trunk is ready to 
lock. 

Dolly (taking a key from the inside of the desk) . 
I will lock it. (She locks it.) George, 
carry this trunk to my carriage. Dinah, 
get some of the clothing we need and put 
it in the trunk in the next room. You 
must hurry. (Dinah goes out.) 



258 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

First Messenger. We will help to start you 
on your journey to safety. 

(George and the third messenger carry out the 
trunk. A shot is heard.) 

First Messenger. The British are at the gates. 
Hasten, madam. 

Dolly. I had almost forgotten that picture 
of Washington. 

Second Messenger (trying to pull it down). It 
is too late now. The heavy frame is fas- 
tened securely to the wall, and we have no 
time to get tools to pry it loose. 

George (entering with an ax in his hand). The 
carriage is ready at the east door, and the 
British are on the other side of the house. 
If they try to catch us before we start, I'll 
chop their heads off. (He swings ax.) 

(Crashing sounds and another shot are heard.) 

Dolly. Chop down the frame of this picture, 
George. (He does as directed.) Now rip 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOE CHILDREN 259 

the canvas off and roll it up. Hurry. 
(They all help. A loud knocking is heard,) 
Dolly. Hush, they are here. Tiptoe out 
as quietly as possible. I will draw the 
bolt on this inner door, and we will be gone 
before they can break it. 

(All hurry out. The door is forced open. A 
British officer and several soldiers rush in.) 

Officer (looking about). My men, the birds 

have flown. 
First Soldier. Let us search the house. We 

may find them. 
Officer. No, this desk is empty. Here are 

only a few unimportant papers where the 

rest must have been. (He looks in the desk.) 
First Soldier {pointing to broken picture frame). 

They have even taken the pictures. 

(All laugh boisterously.) 
Second Soldier. Surely they have not had 

time to remove everything. Let us search 

for plunder. 



260 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Officer. Very well. After we take all that 
we want, we will set fire to the house. 

First Soldier. We must leave this stubborn 
city a heap of ruins. 

Officer. It would be a greater satisfaction 
to take the President and his wife prisoners. 

First Soldier. We may capture them yet. 

(All go out.) 

SCENE III 
A Tavern, Sixteen Miles from Washington 

CHARACTERS 

The Proprietor and his Wife 
A Messenger 
Dolly 

President Madison 
Several Guests — refugees from the City 

(Proprietor, Wife, and Guests are eating at a 
table.) 

First Guest. We were lucky to get here before 
the storm began. 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 261 

Proprietor. I wonder where the President 

and his wife are. 
Second Guest. They may have been killed 

by the British. 
Third Guest. Or burned in the White House. 

The city is almost all in ruins. 
First Guest. The wind is rattling at every 

window. I hope it will not blow the roof 

off. 
Proprietor. The house is strongly built ; 

there is no danger. 

(A knock is heard.) 
Wife (to husband). Some one is knocking 

at the door. 
Proprietor. It may be one of the British. 

I will speak through the keyhole. (Going 

to door.) Who is it? 
Dolly. I am seeking shelter from the storm. 
Wife. It is a woman. Let her in. 
Proprietor. Hush, I am doing the talking 

this time. (To Dolly.) Who are you? 

(He opens the door a little.) 



262 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Dolly. The wife of President Madison. I 
saw him after I left the city, and he said 
he would meet me here. 

First Guest. Don't let her in. 

Other Guests. Stay out ! Stay out ! 

Wife. Such actions are inhuman, on a night 
like this. 

Proprietor. My guests are not willing to let 
you in. Your husband is not here. 

Dolly. I am cold and wet. In Heaven's 
name, give me shelter until morning. 

Third Guest. Her husband brought on the 
war. His wife should have no shelter here. 

Dolly. You are mistaken. Give me a chance 
to explain. 

Wife (stepping forward and pushing her hus- 
band aside). I say that she shall come in. 
(Motioning in a commanding manner to the 
others.) Stay where you are. No one shall 
dare to prevent me from opening my own 
door to a woman who seeks shelter. (All 
seem awed. No one stirs. The Proprietor 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 263 

steps aside. Wife takes Dolly by the hand and 

draws her into the room.) 
Dolly. Thank you for your kindness to me. 
Wife. Come with me. I will give you dry 

clothes and something to eat. (Turning 

to the others.) The first one who makes an 

unkind remark will leave this house. (To 

Dolly.) Are you all alone? 
Dolly. Yes, I became separated from my 

servants. (Dolly and the Wife go out.) 

First Guest. Our host's wife has a mind of 

her own. 
Second Guest. She is right, after all. If the 

President did bring on the war, his wife is 

not to blame. 
Proprietor. No, that is so. If you are willing 

to let her stay, I have no objections. 
Third Guest. Did you lock the door? 
Proprietor. No, but I will do so at once. 

(As he goes to lock the door, President Madison 
pushes it open and walks in.) 



264 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

President. Is Mrs. Madison here? 

Proprietor (stammering). Yes, she just came. 

President. Then tell her I am waiting here 
for her. (He sits down wearily. The Pro- 
prietor goes out.) Good evening, friends. 
(They continue to eat sullenly, and do not 
reply. He takes some papers out of his 
pocket, examines them, and pays no attention 
to the rebuff.) 

Proprietor (returning). Mrs. Madison is in 
the next room. My wife will get some sup- 
per for you both there. 

(The President goes out.). 

First Guest. Let us put him out. We are 
cowards to sit still and do nothing. 

Proprietor. Be calm, gentlemen. I hope that 
you will make no disturbance. 

Second Guest. Let the lady stay, but compel 
Madison to go. 

(A loud knock is heard. Proprietor goes to the 
door.) 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 265 

Proprietor. Who is it ? 

Messenger (excitedly). A messenger to Presi- 
dent Madison. Let me speak with him at 
once. 

Proprietor. Come in. 

(Messenger enters.) 

(President and Dolly, who hear the noise, enter.) 

Messenger (out of breath). The British — 

they know you are here. Fly, for your 

life! 
President (to Dolly) . I cannot go and leave 

you here alone. 
Dolly. Go, I pray you. No one will harm 

me. 
Wife. No, sir, I will see that nothing happens 

to her. 
Dolly. Later, I can disguise myself and go 

to some safer place. 
Wife. I will help her. You had better 

leave at once, Mr. President. 
Messenger. Come with me. Lose no time. 



266 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

The British will kill you, and our men will 
be in despair. 
President. Good-by, Dolly. Heaven protect 
you ! (He goes out with Messenger.) 

(The others sullenly withdraw to another room, 
leaving Dolly and the Proprietor's Wife.) 

Wife (taking shawl, bonnet, and veil from a hook.) 
Here, take these things of mine. I will hide 
you in the attic until dawn. Then in this 
disguise you can escape. No one you meet 
will ever guess that you are the President's 
wife. 

Dolly. I shall never forget your kindness to 
me. 

Wife. Hurry, and I will let the others think 
that you have gone with your husband. 

(They go out.) 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 267 

SCENE IV 
Shore of the Potomac River near Washington 

CHARACTERS 

A Boatman 
Dolly, with a veil over her face 

Dolly. Are you taking people across the river 

in your boat ? 
Boatman. Yes, madam, if I know who they 

are. 
Dolly. Will you take me? I will pay you 

well. 
Boatman. I do not care about the pay. 

Strange women are not admitted into the 

the city. 
Dolly. Why not? 

Boatman. They might be British spies. 
Dolly. But I am not a spy. Neither am I 

British. 
Boatman. What you say may be true, but 

you will have to prove it. Perhaps you 



268 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

have been sent to burn the few buildings 

left standing. 
Dolly. I want to go to the house of my sister, 

where I am to meet my hushand. 
Boatman. Who is your husband ? 
Dolly. A loyal American. 
Boatman. Why do you not tell his name if 

that is so? 
Dolly. If I should, you might not believe 

me. 
Boatman (suspiciously). You might try the 

experiment, if it is true that you are not a 

British spy. 
Dolly. I am the wife of President Madison. 
Boatman (laughing). That is a likely story. 

You are very clever, madam, but you will 

not cross the river in my boat — that is 

sure. 
Dolly. Would you know the President's wife 

if you should see her? 
Boatman. I would, indeed. Every day I have 

seen her driving in the park ; but (scrutinize 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 269 

ing her shawl and bonnet) she wears better 

clothes than you have on. 
Dolly (raising her veil). Do you believe me 

now? 
Boatman (stepping back, surprised). Can I 

believe my eyes ? How do you happen to 

be here? 
Dolly. If you will row me across the river, 

I will tell you. 
Boatman (looking at her closely). Is it pos- 
sible that I am mistaken? 
Dolly. No, I am telling you the truth. Do 

you know whether my sister's house is still 

standing? or was it burned with the rest 

of the city? 
Boatman. The British left before they had 

a chance to set fire to that part of the town. 
Dolly. Is the President safe? 
Boatman. Yes, I saw him this morning. 
Dolly. Will you take me to him ? 
Boatma/n. I will, indeed, and I hope you will 

excuse me for doubting your word. We 



270 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

have to be very careful at this dreadful 
time. 

Dolly. You were only doing your duty. 

Boatman. I consider it an honor to serve the 
wife of our good President. Come down 
to the end of the pier, where my boat is 
moored ; and I will be glad to row you to 
what is left of our beautiful city. 

Dolly. We should be thankful that the 
British have gone. It will not take long 
to rebuild our beloved Washington so that 
it will be handsomer than ever. 

(Both go out.) 





ABRAHAM LINCOLN 

SCENE I 

A Little Log Hut in Indiana. Three Sides are 
inclosed, the Fourth is shut in by Bearskins 

CHARACTERS 

Abraham Lincoln 
Father 
Stepmother 
Neighbor Brown 

(Abraham is reading in front of the open fire, 
on one side of which sits his Father, on the 
other, his Stepmother.) 

Father. Abraham, you will spoil your eyes 
reading by that flickering light. 

Abraham. No, father, I can see very well; 
and I am anxious to finish this story that 
neighbor Brown lent me. 

271 




The Boy Lincoln 

272 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 273 

Stepmother. The boy is a great student. I 
will make him. a tallow dip to read by. 

Father. He had better turn his attention 
to something more practical than books. 

Stepmother. Many a great man has been a 
lover of learning. Let him study if he likes. 

(In the meantime she has been preparing the 
tallow dip, which she now places near the boy.) 

Abraham. Thank you, mother. You are 
always doing something for me. 

Stepmother. That is because you are a good 
boy, Abraham. 

(A knock is heard on the side of the house.) 

Father {rising and pushing aside the bearskins 
covering the open side of the hut). Come in. 
(Neighbor Brown enters, shakes hands with the 
family, and sets down a lantern he is carrying.) 
We are glad to see you, Brown. Is the snow 
drifting badly? 

Brown (stamping his feet) . Yes, there is quite 
a heap out there in the path. 



274 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CE'ILDREN 
Stepmother. Come and get warm at the fire. 

(They step aside and make room for the 
visitor.) 

Brown. Thank you. A fire is good on a cold 
night like this. (He draws near to the fire 
and rubs his hands together.) I see you are 
still at your books, my lad. (He pats 
Abraham on the shoulder.) Well, I have 
brought you another. I got it from a 
friend of mine just so that I could give it 
to you. (He takes a book from inside his 
coat and hands it to Abraham, who eagerly 
takes it.) 

Stepmother. What do you say for it, Abra- 
ham? 

Abraham. I thank you very much. I have 
quite a library now. 

Brown. I didn't look at the name of the book, 
but I suppose, for people who like to read, 
a book is a book, no matter what it is called. 
I believe in encouraging learning, but 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 275 

reading is too slow work for me. I would 

rather chop wood. 

(All laugh.) 
Abraham (examining the book). It is a copy 

of the Statutes of Indiana. I am glad to 

get it. 
Father. What are "statutes"? 
Abraham. Why, laws, father. It tells all 

about the laws of this state. 
Brown. Well, now, that is a pretty good thing 

to know about. 
Father. It sounds more practical than what 

he has just been reading. What do you 

call that story, boy? 
Abraham. Robinson Crusoe. It tells of a 

man who was shipwrecked and cast away 

on an island. It is wonderful to read about 

the things he did. 
Brown (looking at the other books arranged on 

a rude shelf) . What else have you ? Here's 

the Bible. That is the best book. 
Stepmother. Yes, he never gets tired of read- 



276 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

ing it over and over. It is full of so many 
noble thoughts and good stories. 

Abraham (touching the books one by one). Here 
are "iEsop's Fables " "Pilgrim's Progress/' 
" The Life of Washington/' and a history of 
the United States. That is a good many 
for a boy to have. 

Brown. Indeed it is, and if I can get you 
any more, I will. 

Stepmother. Abraham writes out different 
things he wants to learn by heart and takes 
them into the woods to study while he is 
chopping. 

Brown. Where does he get the paper? 

Abraham (laughing). Here is my paper. (He 
takes a shingle down from the book shelf.) I 
write on one of these and carry it with me. 
I make my ink of roots. (He picks up a bottle 
of ink and shows it to Brown). And this is 
my pen. (He exhibits a goose quill.) 

Stepmother. He does his arithmetic examples 
for school with a burnt stick on the back of 
a shovel. (She shows the shovel.) 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 277 

Brown. You have a smart boy here, Neigh- 
bor Lincoln. 
Father. He ought to learn a trade, I think. 

He is tall and strong and would make a good 

blacksmith. 
Abraham. I should like to be a lawyer. That 

is why I am so glad to get the book you 

brought me, Neighbor Brown. 
Stepmother. He is a fine rail-splitter already. 
Brown. I know that. There is not a grown 

man around here that can beat him. 
Stepmother. Whatever he is best fitted for, no 

doubt he will do. 
Brown. Yes, that is so. It is getting late 

now, so I think I had better be starting 

home. 
Father. Well, come again, Brown; we are 

always glad to see you. 
Brown. I will. Come and see us. Good-by. 
Others. Good-by. (He goes out.) 
Father. The fire is low, and it is time to go 

to bed. (He yawns.) Abraham, we must 



278 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

get up at sunrise to-morrow and begin 

chopping trees early, 
Abraham. All right, father. Good night, 

mother. 
Stepmother. Good night. I hope you will 

get a good sleep. I stirred up the leaves 

in your mattress to-day, to make it softer. 
Abraham. You are as kind to me as if you 

were my own mother. 

(He starts to climb the peg ladder to the loft.) 

Father. I believe I will go out and fasten 
the edges of the bearskins a little tighter. 
I see the snow is sifting in. 

Stepmother. I will go with you and hold the 
light, so that you can see. 

(They go out.) 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 279 

SCENE II 
A General Store in New Salem, Illinois 

CHARACTERS 

Lincoln 

Jack Armstrong 
Peter Rogers 
Mrs. Jenkins 

{Lincoln is behind the counter. Jack and Peter 
are sitting idly by the stove. Mrs. Jenkins 
comes in with a wet umbrella, which she leans 
against the counter.) 

Lincoln. Good evening, Mrs. Jenkins. This 
is a rainy night for such a long trip. 

Mrs. Jenkins. When I started it was only 
sprinkling, but it is pouring now. I needed 
some things for breakfast, so I decided 
to come. My married son is going to drive 
me back home. 

Lincoln. I will carry them over to his house 
for you. 



280 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Mrs. Jenkins. Oh, no, thank you. It is only 
a step, and all I want is a pound of sugar 
and half a pound of tea. I never can eat 
my breakfast without a cup of hot tea. 

(Lincoln weighs out the sugar and tea and 
gives them to her.) 

Mrs. Jenkins. How much are they all to- 
gether ? 

Lincoln. Forty-four cents. 

Mrs. Jenkins. Can you change a bill ? 

Lincoln (laughing). Yes, as long as it is not 
too large. 

Mrs. Jenkins. I never have very large ones. 
It is only a dollar. 

(Lincoln takes the bill and hands back the change. 
She puts it in her purse without counting it.) 

Lincoln (smiling) . You had better count 
your change, Mrs. Jenkins. I may have 
cheated you. 

Mrs. Jenkins. There is no danger of that. 
If you cheat anybody, it will be yourself. 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 281 

Lincoln. You are very kind to have such a 
good opinion of me. (Mrs. Jenkins takes 
packages and umbrella, and starts to go.) 
Wait, I will put up your umbrella for you. 
(He goes out of the door with her and re- 
turns at once.) 

Jack. Well, as I was going to say before the 
lady came in, I have forgiven you for the 
beating you gave me yesterday, because 
anybody that is stronger than I am has 
my respect. 

Lincoln. All right, Jack, I would not have 
touched you if you had not started the fight. 
We will shake hands and bury the hatchet. 

Jack. That suits me. (They shake hands.) 
Peter, here, can act as witness. If any one 
ever tries to hurt you, he has me to reckon 
with. 

Lincoln. Same here. (Starting up suddenly.) 
Oh, say, boys, I cheated Mrs. Jenkins out of 
six cents. Do you suppose I could catch 
her before she starts home ? 



282 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Jack. No, I don't believe so. Her son's 
horse was already hitched when I came in 
a few minutes ago, and he drives like the 
wind. 

Peter. Oh, let it go until you see her again. 
She didn't count her change, and she will 
never miss it. Think what a surprise it 
will be when you tell her ! 

Lincoln. No, I must return that money at 
once. 

Jack. You will have a run of nearly three 
miles, and it is raining harder than ever. 

Lincoln. There will not be any more cus- 
tomers here to-night. I will start now. 

Peter. Wait until morning and give it to her 
son. 

Lincoln. No, I must return it to her. I gave 
her only fifty cents change. 

Jack. You will never get rich, Abe — you 
are too honest. 

Lincoln. That is all talk, Jack. You fel- 
lows would not cheat any more than I would. 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 283 

Peter. Maybe not, but we would not walk 
five miles this chilly night for six cents. 
Here, take my umbrella, if you are deter- 
mined to go. It may keep off some of 
the biggest drops. 

Lincoln. No, thank you. I have never used 
an umbrella in my life. When I get wet, 
I wait until I get dry again. (He takes 
keys out of pocket to lock store door.) I don't 
want to hurry you, boys. If you would like 
to keep store until I get back, I will not lock 
up. 

Peter. No, thank you; I am too sleepy 
to sit up much longer. We will go when 
you do; but I think you are foolish to 
take such a tramp after a hard day's 
work. 

Lincoln. I was going to read law for a 
while, but I will go for a walk instead. 

Peter (slapping Lincoln on the shoulder as 
all three go out). Abe, you are the hard- 
est worker in town. If you are not a great 



284 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

man yet, I don't know what I am talking 
about. 

(Lincoln laughs good-naturedly, and they all go 
out.) 



SCENE III 
A Court Room 

CHARACTERS 

Judge 

Lincoln 
The Prisoner (Jack Armstrong's brother), the 
jury, witnesses, attorneys, and others, in- 
cluding the prisoner's mother, and neighbor 
Brown 

Judge (to Lincoln). You may continue your 

examination of the witness. 
Lincoln. You say that you saw Armstrong 

commit the murder. 
Witness. I did. 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 285 

Lincoln. At what time did it happen ? 

Witness. Eleven at night. 

Lincoln. How could you see at that hour 

of the night? 
Witness. The moon was shining. 
Lincoln. Just how large was the moon? 
Witness. About full. 

Lincoln. Were there any clouds in. the sky? 
Witness. No, the sky was perfectly clear, 

and it was almost as light as day. 
Lincoln. You are sure of that? 
Witness. Yes, perfectly sure. 
Lincoln {taking an almanac from his pocket). 

What was the date of the murder? 
Witness. August twelfth. 
Lincoln. The almanac shows that there was 

no moon that night. Two days later there 

was a new moon. 
Witness. That must be a mistake. 

(All laugh). 
Judge (rapping with a gavel). Order in the 

court ! 



286 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Lincoln. A man who sees a moon when there 
is no moon is not a reliable witness. That 
is all, your Honor. 

Judge. We have heard the evidence. We 
will now listen to the plea of the prosecut- 
ing attorney. 

Prosecuting Attorney. Your Honor and Gen- 
tleman of the Jury, though the evidence 
has been, for the most part, circumstantial, 
the crime is shocking, the character of the 
prisoner is not good, and his associates are 
evil. That should be sufficient. 

Judge. We will now listen to the plea of 
the counsel for the defendant. 

Lincoln. Your Honor and Gentlemen of the 
Jury, it is unnecessary to say anything 
further in defense of the prisoner. He did 
not commit the crime, and the evidence of 
the only eyewitness declares that he saw 
the murder in the moonlight, when there 
was no moon. 

(All laugh.) 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 287 

Judge {pounding with gavel). Order in the 
court ! (To the Prisoner). Have you any- 
thing further to say ? 

Prisoner. Nothing, your Honor, except that 
I am not guilty. 

Judge. The jury has heard all the evidence, 
and will now withdraw to prepare the ver- 
dict. Remember to weigh each point care- 
fully. 

(Jury goes out.) 

Mrs. Armstrong (to Lincoln). How can I 
ever reward you for defending my son so 
ably? 

Lincoln. I was glad to defend him. I be- 
lieve him innocent. 

Jack Armstrong. If he is freed, we have you 
to thank. 

(The jury returns.) 

Judge. We will now listen to the verdict of 
the jury. 

Foreman. Not guilty, your Honor, by unan- 
imous vote. 



288 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Judge. The case is dismissed, and the prisoner 

is free. 
Prisoner (to Lincoln). You have saved my 

life. I have no money now, but I will 

pay you if it takes me fifty years. 
Lincoln. I was glad to do it. Your mother 

was kind to me once when I was poor and 

friendless. 
Mrs. Armstrong. God bless you. A man 

with your good heart and ability should 

be President of the United States. 
Judge (shaking hands with Lincoln). That 

is very true. You did well, young man, 

and you have a brilliant career before you. 
Brown. It was a lucky night when I gave 

you that book on the laws of Indiana. You 

have made good use of it. 
Lincoln. You are all very kind. It is a great 

satisfaction to aid the innocent. 

(All go out). 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 289 

SCENE IV 

Office of the President of the United States, at 
Washington 

CHARACTERS 
President Lincoln, his Secretary, and an Old Man 

(Lincoln is sitting before a table strewn with 
papers. He is reading a dispatch and rum- 
pling his hair in perplexity.) 

Lincoln (to himself). I wish this cruel war 
could be brought to an end, So many 
brave men have been killed on both sides. 
But the Union must be preserved, and the 
slaves must be freed. 

Secretary (entering). An old man wants to see 
you. Shall I dismiss him ? You must be 
tired after this long day's work. 

Lincoln. What time is it? 

Secretary (looking at his watch). Nearly eleven 
o'clock. 

Lincoln. What does the old man want? 



290 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

Secretary. He will not tell ; but he seems to 
be in great distress, and is weeping. 

Lincoln. I should spend a sleepless night if 
I turned away any one in distress. Send 
him in, and I will find out his errand. 

(Secretary goes out. Lincoln busies himself 
with the papers before him. The Secretary 
returns with a bent and feeble old man.) 

Lincoln (pointing to a chair). Sit down and 

tell me what I can do for you. 
Old Man. Mr. President, I have come to 

ask you to pardon my only son. 
Lincoln. What has he done? 
Old Man. He slept at his post, and he is to 

be shot at sunrise. 
Lincoln. How old is he? 
Old Man. Eighteen, and he has always been 

a good boy. He enlisted for love of his 

country. 
Lincoln. Sleeping at one's post is a grave 

offense. If a night attack should be made 



HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 291 

by the enemy, it might mean death to a 
whole regiment. 

Old Man. He was so worn out that he fell 
asleep standing up. They found him lean- 
ing against a tree. 

Lincoln. That is an unusual case. He did 
not lie down? 

Old Man. He would have died first. 

Lincoln. I am sorry for you, but I do not 
see how I can do anything for him. Hear 
what General Butler has just telegraphed 
to me: "President Lincoln, I pray you not 
to interfere with the court-martials of the 
army. You will destroy all discipline 
among our soldiers. " Now you see how 
the matter stands. 

Old Man. His mother is ill, and the shock 
will kill her. Wouldn't you be willing to 
let me die for the boy? Say yes, Mr. 
President, and I will gladly take his place. 

Lincoln. No, I could not do that. (He thinks 
for a moment, then gets up and walks across 



292 HISTORICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN 

the floor.) Butler or no Butler, I will par- 
don your boy. Give my secretary his 
name and regiment. (To the Secretary.) 
Send a dispatch that the lad is not to be 
shot without further orders from the Presi- 
dent. 

(To the Old Man.) If your son does not die un- 
til orders come from me to shoot him, he 
will live to be much older than Methuselah. 

Old Man. All that I can say is, God bless 
you ! God bless you ! 
(The Old Man goes out with the Secretary.) 

Lincoln. Now I can go to bed content, when 
I think how happy the mere signing of my 
name will make that boy's mother. (He 
goes out.) 




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In Those Days 

A true story of child life a hundred years ago, for fifth or sixth grade, by 
Mrs. E. B. Hallock, beautifully illustrated in color. 

Stories of Great Operas 

By Millicent S. Bender; the stories of six great German operas, taken frorr 
original sources in old German. 

Nonsense Dialogues 

Popular folklore in dialogue, for first grade, by Mrs. E. E. K. Warner, author 
of Culture Readers, and other books. 

A Fairy Book for Second or Third Grade 
By Kate F. Oswell. 

Stories Grandmother Told 

Fairy and folklore stories for second or third grade, by Kate F. Oswell. 

Boy and Girl Heroes 

Stories of child life of famous characters, by Florence V. Farmer, author of 
"Nature Myths in Many Lands." 

Historical Plays 

Famous history stories put in dramatic form for reading, and also for acting by 
children of the higher, intermediate, or the grammar grades, by Grace E. Bird 
and Maud Starling. 

Other books are in preparation. 



THE MACMILLAN COMPANY 

Publishers 64-66 Fifth Avenue New York 



EVERYDAY ENGLISH 

BOOK ONE 

By 

FRANKLIN T. BAKER 

Professor of English in Teachers College and Supervisor of English 
in the Horace Mann School 

AND 

ASHLEY H. THORNDIKE 

Professor of English in Columbia University 



This is the first book of 
A NEW AND ORIGINAL SERIES OF LANGUAGE BOOKS 

A HANDY, PRACTICAL, PERFECTLY 
GRADED, AND BEAUTIFULLY IL- 
LUSTRATED LANGUAGE BOOK FOR 
THE FIFTH AND SIXTH GRADES 



Ittreats language from a practical point of view rathei 
than the technical. 

Oral speech is treated first in each lesson. 

In written speech letter writing is given fullest considera- 
tion. 

Common errors of expression, both written and oral, are 
treated psychologically. 

All formal instruction is based upon good literature. 

The illustrations, many of them in color, are suggestive 
and inspirational. 

Cloth, i2mo, xvrt 240 pages, 40 cents net 



THE MACMILLAN COMPANY 

Publishers 64-66 Fifth Avenue New York 



The Gilbert Arithmetics 

By C. H. GLEASON and C. B. GILBERT 
Book I, $.36 Book II, $.40 Book III, $.45 

These books are the latest product of recent careful studies on the 
subject of teaching mathematics to children. They are unique in that 
they recognize both the scientific claims of the subject and the psycho- 
logical claims of the student. 

The present-day demands for a better arithmetic are summed up in 
the following four classifications : — 

I — Systematic and sufficient drills on the fundamental 
combinations to fix them in the memory beyond 
the power of loss. 

II — Clear and definite knowledge of essential princi- 
ples, stated in simple language. 

Ill — A close relation between the arithmetic of the 
school and the problems of common life involv- 
ing number, especially the problems familiar to 
children and appealing to them. 

IV — The scientific or inductive method of approach to 
new subjects, in order that the knowledge may 
be real as distinguished from verbal. 

In the older arithmetics, the two first-named features predominated. 
These books were strong in drill and in formal statements. They were 
weak in vital interest and in psychological approach. Hence, the few 
who mastered them became exact and skilful ; but as the books lacked 
the essential qualities of interest and simplicity, the great majority of 
pupils wearied of the long, dry, and barren drills and failed to grasp 
the principles. 

. The newer books appeal more generally to the interest of children, 
and pay more attention to the inducing of principles. But they tend 
too commonly to a disorderly arrangement, a disregard of necessary 
drill, and a lack of definitive statement. Hence possibly, the frequent 
complaint of a lack of " thoroughness " or accuracy. 

The Gilbert Arithmetics retain the virility and efficiency of the 
older arithmetics and offer as well the simplicity and attractiveness of 
the newer books. But they are different from both old and new in 
certain essential respects. 

THE MACMILLAN COMPANY 

Publishers 64-66 Fifth Avenue New York 



The American School Readers 

By KATHERINE F. OSWELL and C. B. GILBERT 



A ne<u> basal series of school readers of unusually high literary quality 

Cloth, i2tno 



PRIMER $.30 

This book is unique in that it is from the first lesson to the last a real 
story of real children, illustrated by photographs. It has a carefully 
chosen, limited vocabulary averaging about three words to a lesson. 
In addition to the continued story it contains more children's literature 
than most primers. 

FIRST READER $.30 

The primer children continue for a short space with new experiences. 
The greater part of the book is carefully selected and graded childlore. 

SECOND READER $.35 

All high grade literature, prose and poetry, adapted to second grade 
children, beautifully illustrated. 

THIRD R!ZADER $.40 

Children's literature with a vocabulary increasingly difficult, and with 
longer stories. 

FOURTH READER $45 

A beautifully illustrated collection of high class literature, prose and 
poetry, chiefly in literary wholes. There are no scraps. 

FIFTH READER $.50 

Six hundred pages of literary wholes carefully graded, with notes and 
questions for appreciative study. 

LITERARY READER $.00 

An annotated and carefully edited collection of masterpieces suitable 
for study in higher grades and in rural schools. 



THE MACMILLAN COMPANY 

Publishers 64-66 Fifth Avenue New York 



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